INFLUENCING PROPAGATION BY STOCK PLANT PGR TREATMENTS

Plant growth regulating chemical (PGR) treatments applied to the stock plant have been demonstrated to markedly Influence the subsequent performance of both macropropagules and micropropagules removed from stock plants of many ornamental species so treated. Rooting of cuttings has been enhanced and numbers of cuttings increased by direct stock plant PGR sprays and by infusing PGR into softwood growth via forcing solutions. Similarly, explants from PGR sprayed stock plants have been induced to produce more callus and/or shoots when cultured in vitro. Direct PGR treatments of the explants and infusion of PGR via forcing solutions also enhanced in vitro performance.