Influence of genotype and growth regulators on morphogenetic processes in carnation shoot apex cultures

Shoot tip explants from eight carnation cultivars were grown on Murashige and Skoog medium with or without growth regulators (mu M): alpha-naphtaleneacetic acid (0.5) and kinetin (KIN) (2.5), maleic hydrazide (MH) (0.5) and KIN (2.5) or MH (0.5) and 6-benzylaminopurine (2.5). Most of the explants developed into shoots which formed a callus and/or roots at the basal region. Some of the explants developed flower buds or anomalous flowers. For all the media tested, significant differences among genotypes in shoot formation and growth efficiency, as well as in the rate of abnormality, rooting and callusing of the shoots were observed. The morphogenetic responses were also affected by the growth regulators. But shoot tip explants from different cultivars reacted to the modifying effects of growth regulators differently.