Effect of growth regulators on Huperzia lucidulum explants in vitro

in vitro, Huperzia lucidulum shoot-tips grow slowly and do not readily form roots, although gemmae produce roots within 4-6 weeks (Waegel, in press). Experiments were designed to see if shoot growth and root formation could be accelerated with the growth regulators NAA (napthaleneacetic acid), BA-6 (benzyladenine) or both. Club moss shoot-tips grew more in the presence of growth regulators compared to the control group, but statistical analysis of the growth data shows that the difference was not significant (p=0.56) There was a significant difference in the growth of shoot-tips and gemmae (p=.0001), even though gemmae had roots. Rooting of shoot-tips was not stimulated by NAA and/or 6-BA. Of 20 H. lucidulum shoot tip cuttings maintained in culture for one year, only 3 formed roots. Further experiments are needed to understand the factors involved in the rooting of club moss explants in vitro.