Calcium and boron for in vitro rooting of Nothofagus nervosa.

Several mineral compounds influence adventitious rooting, and those containing boron and calcium, play an important role. They are associated to the enzyme regulation, cell division, cellular metabolism (induction stage) and roots enlargement (expression stage). The aims of this work were to study the variation of the endogenous calcium and boron concentrations along the rooting, and determine their optimal concentrations in the rooting basal medium of Nothofagus nervosa. Significant variation in endogenous calcium concentrations was detected along the rooting phase, strongly correlated with rhizogenesis phenomenons and linked to total peroxidase variation as cited elsewhere. Calcium and boron concentrations in the basal medium significantly affected the rooting. Treatment containing 60 mg.L-1 Ca and 1 mg.L-1 B produced root formation in fewer days than other combinations. The variation of these nutrient concentrations in the medium is a useful tool to improve microcutting rooting. Roots are obtained earlier and in a shorter period of time, finally resulting in more homogeneous microplants with a better developed rooting system.

In vitro propagation of Berberis buxifolia Lam.

Berberis buxifolia is a native shrub of Patagonia with a great importance due to its crop production as soon its medicinal and tinctorial applications. The aim of this work was to develop a protocol for in vitro propagation of B. buxifolia, with special emphasys on the rooting stage. The culture of the explants on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium added with 0.55 microM BA allowed to attain a multiplication rate of 1:4.7 at day 63. Rooted shoots were obtained on Murashige and Skoog medium with half strength of macronutrient salts. The culture of the shoots with a period of 4 days of darkness at the beginning of the rooting, on a medium with 1.25 microM IBA for 7 days, followed by a IBA free medium until day 28, allowed to attain 80

rooting. These results show that B. buxifolia can be in vitro propagated.

Physiological variability arising from in vitro propagation of Nothofagus obliqua

As with cuttings, the microcuttings produced from in vitro generated shoots could be affected by topophysis. Very little research has been done about such in vitro effect. This paper reports the influence of the topophysis on the regeneration response (shoot multiplication, microcutting rooting and plantlet acclimation) of explants on the in vitro culture of juvenile N. obliqua trees. The results showed that the main responsible of the physiological variability arising from all the in vitro propagation stages is topophysis. This influence was found in the first culture and can be extended to the next subculture (multiplication stage). Growth of the obtained plants was also affected (rooting of microcuttings and plantlet acclimation). The multiplication rate was lower in apical portion (1:3.66) than basal portion (1:5.8) while rooting was 48.6 and 27.0 respectively. By the way, length of acclimated explants was 52.4 mm in the apical rooted explants and 28.7 mm in the basal ones at the 30th day. In order to reduce such variability, it is necessary to take into account the initial position of the explants during the establishment and multiplication stages of micropropagation of forest trees

Physiological variability arising from in vitro propagation of Nothofagus obliqua

As with cuttings, the microcuttings produced from in vitro generated shoots could be affected by topophysis. Very little research has been done about such in vitro effect. This paper reports the influence of the topophysis on the regeneration response (shoot multiplication, microcutting rooting and plantlet acclimation) of explants on the in vitro culture of juvenile N. obliqua trees. The results showed that the main responsible of the physiological variability arising from all the in vitro propagation stages is topophysis. This influence was found in the first culture and can be extended to the next subculture (multiplication stage). Growth of the obtained plants was also affected (rooting of microcuttings and plantlet acclimation). The multiplication rate was lower in apical portion (1:3.66) than basal portion (1:5.8) while rooting was 48.6 and 27.0 respectively. By the way, length of acclimated explants was 52.4 mm in the apical rooted explants and 28.7 mm in the basal ones at the 30th day. In order to reduce such variability, it is necessary to take into account the initial position of the explants during the establishment and multiplication stages of micropropagation of forest trees