Micropropagation of Quercus pubescens from buds

Abstract

Some plants present challenging obstacles when grown by in vitro culture, they may be recalcitrant, hampering the development of reliable regeneration techniques. This ‘recalcitrant behaviour’ is genetically driven, so it is difficult to control by environmental and nutritional manipulation in microculture. Plants which are difficult to work with are usually perennials with complex seasonal life cycles. Quercus species show short growth spurts per season, when they stop growing until the next season. Such species may be called episodic and are not always successfully used in microculture and biotechnology. Micropropagation has the advantage of genetic homogeneity and avoids difficulties related to obtaining sterile plant material.