Effect of aluminium toxicity on the development of poplar (Populus tremula L. x P. alba L.) cultured in vitro

Abstract

Adventitious bud cultures were established using vegetative buds from selected clones of poplar (Populus tremula L. x P. alba L.) as initial explants. For multiplication of shoots a modified Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) was used. Aluminium salts (aluminium sulphate and aluminium chloride) were added to the media. It was found that the pH of the medium had no effect on the development of cultures at low concentrations of nutrients (1/2 or 1/4 MS). Low concentrations of aluminium (Al 25mg•dm^-3 supplied as aluminium sulphate, Al 15 mg•dm^-3 as aluminium chloride) had no inhibitory effect on shoot development but decreased regeneration of adventitious roots. High concentrations of aluminium inhibited the development of shoots and roots, especially in a medium at pH 4.5. Microcuttings rooted in the highest percentage and formed the strongest rooting system on 1/4 strength MS medium at pH 4.5. It was found that there was no difference between the rooting of shoots excised from cultures cultivated with or without A1 in this medium at pH 5.5.