Pre and post flasking factors affecting establishment of Cordyline fruticosa 'Purple tower' from tissue culture: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Horticultural Science (honours) at Lincoln University

Abstract

Two experiments were run to improve the establishment of Cordyline fructicosa ' Purple Tower' plants from tissue culture. Experiment one examined the affect of early ex vitro nutrition on establishment and subsequent growth, and experiment two examined the effect of high sucrose Stage III rooting (tissue culture) media on survival and plantlet morphology. It was found that early ex vitro nutrition had no effect on establishment. The importance of initial plantlet size was identified. Optimum nitrogen and phosphorus levels are suggested to be between 105 -140 g per m³ per month and 35 - 45 g per m³ per month, respectively. High (6%) sucrose increased microcutting sucrose content and survival, while reducing microcutting height and shoot quality at transplanting. Shoot quality and height from the high sucrose treatment recovered to that of the low sucrose (3%) treatment after 19 days.