THE INFLUENCE OF LIGHT COLOUR ON MICROPROPAGATION OF CHRYSANTHEMUM

Single-node explants of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) ‘Lilac Wonder’ were cultured in vitro during 6 weeks on MS medium without growth regulators under different light: red, yellow, green, blue, white. The influence of light colour on growth and regeneration of plantlets originated from axillary bud was investigated. Green light showed the highest positive influence on stems length and fresh weight, length of internodes and propagation efficiency of plantlets. Plantlets cultured under blue light had the shortest internodes and stems, though their weight was not the lowest, which resulted in thickset shape of plantlets and the worst propagation efficiency. Microcuttings were well rooted under both green and white light. Plantlets grown under red light had the least weight, tiny leaves and were predominantly unrooted. Light colour showed no significant influence on an average number of leaves per plantlet. No branching was observed under any light conditions. Using green light may be helpful in improving the efficiency of micropropagation of chrysanthemum.