PROPAGATION OF THE FERN ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS THROUGH TISSUE CULTURE OF THE CIRCINATE PART OF YOUNG LEAVES

The circinate part of young leaves, excised before the beginning of foliar expansion, was inoculated on Gamborg B₅ medium supplemented with auxins IBA(0.05 to 4.0mg.1^-1) or NAA (0.05 to 4.0mg.1^-1) or 2,4-D(0.5 to 2.0mg.1^-1) and cytokinin BA(0.05 to 5.0mg.1^-1). Combinations of different concentrations of IBA and BA as well as of 2,4-D and BA were tested.

The best morphogenic response was obtained with Gamborg B₅ medium supplemented with IBA 0.5mg.1^-1 and BA 0.01mg.1^-1, 2% sucrose, at pH 5.5. After 8–10 weeks of culture, formed meristems were transferred to fresh medium without growth regulators (developing medium). Six weeks after, plantlets were transferred to the rooting medium (Gamborg B₅ plus NAA 0.05mg. 1^-1). Well developing plantlets, suitable for potting, were obtained after, at least, 1 month on this medium. A condition for plant growth is the soil composition and a relative high atmospheric humidity (about 100%).