IMPROVEMENTS IN APEX CULTURE IN VITIS SPECIES

Apex or meristem culture of Vitis species often remains difficult and uncertain (Galzy, 1972). Apex grafting on hypocotyls of grapevine seedlings was a first improvement in the regeneration rate and in the effectiveness of virus elimination (Bass et al., 1976). In 1978, Barlass et al. described a simple and rapid method allowing development of numerous buds from a single fragmented apex.
We applied this method for micropropagation of various Vitis vinifera (Chardonnay, Klevener de Heiligenstein…), rootstocks (Kober 5 BB…) and hybrids (LN 33).

The addition of animal serum to the culturing media facilitates the development of grapevine meristems (0,1 mm – 1–2 leaf primordia). It greatly increases the number of meristems developing into plantlets as well as the rate of their differentiation.

Applications of this technique for grapevine virus elimination and for rapid multiplication are described.

International Symposium on Vegetative Propagation of Woody Species

P. Bass, E. Clog, B. Walter

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1988.227.101