Biochemistry Division, National Chemical Laboratory, Poona-411 008.
Multiple shoot formation was induced from axillary buds of two varieties of Rosa sp. cv. Crimson glory and Glenfiditch on a defined medium containing N-6 benzyl-aminopurine and kinetin. A five-to six-fold multiplication could be obtained. The in vitro proliferated shoots were rooted by giving an auxin treatment and by lowering the salt concentration. These plantlets were then transferred to small pots in a green house and later to the field. Field grown plants showed a high degree of uniformity in growth, the number of petals and the size and colour of the flowers. This procedure with slight modifications could be most useful to clonally propagate exotic rose varieties.
