Ethylene and CO2 affect direct shoot regeneration from the petiolar ends of Paulownia kawakamii leaves cultured in vitro

Abstract

The effects of ethylene and CO2 on shoot regeneration in excised leaf cultures of Paulownia kawakamii were examined. When both the gases were prevented from accumulating in the headspace of cultures using mercuric perchlorate and potassium hydroxide traps, shoot regeneration frequency improved and callus production was reduced compared to the control and cultures with only one of the gases trapped. Incorporation of either aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) or 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in the culture medium caused significant reduction in shoot regeneration. There was profuse callus production in the presence of high amounts of ACC, which was accompanied by over sixfold increase in the rate of ethylene production. However, in the presence of AVG callus production was delayed and shoot regeneration decreased, suggesting that low levels of ethylene might be needed for de novo shoot bud induction in Paulownia cultures.