MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL MODIFICATIONS INDUCED BY IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF KIWIFRUIT PLANTS

Trials were conducted using container-grown plants obtained by micropropagation and from woody cuttings.
The following points were considered in order to characterize the two groups: 1) anatomical characteristics of the conducting system (number and size of xylem vessels); 2) shape and size of leaves; 3) amount of epicuticular waxes; 4) chlorophyll content.

As regards the conducting system, the mean size of xylem vessels proved significantly smaller in micropropagated plants than in vines from cuttings.

During early growth stages micropropagated plants showed marked juvenile traits, having a mucronate leaf shape and reddish tomentosity at the shoot tip.
Elongated leaves on micropropagated vines made for significant differences in diameter ratios, but mean leaf area did not vary significantly.

Micropropagated vine leaves were found to have a lower quantity of epicuticular waxes.
Chlorophyll a and b concentrations did not differ significantly.