No abstract

An axillary bud derived in vitro propagation procedure for Theobroma cacao is described. The method allows bud expansion and elongation, including leaf development, as early as 13 days after placing explants on establishment medium. Shoots have been maintained in culture vessels for six months with little evidence of decline. Propagules have been induced to form roots, hardened off, and moved to the greenhouse within six weeks of initial explant establishment. Some plants have been in the greenhouse for twelve months and are growing in an apparently normal manner. No major differences in response from UF-667 or EQX-100 derived seed-grown trees were found suggesting that the method may not be limited by genotype. Long-term growth without added plant growth regulators has been seen in over 2400 explants.Abbreviations: NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid; IBA -indolebutyric acid; BAP -benzylaminopurine; WPMLloyd-McCown woody plant medium

The postproduction quality of 33 cultivars and 178 Pennsylvania State Univ. breeding lines of Pelargonium ×domesticum L.H. Bailey was evaluated in a simulated consumer environment. Petal abscission was the primary factor that reduced postproduction ratings (PPR). The heterozygosity of some cultivars was indicated by the range of PPR of progeny from self-pollinations. This range of PPR implies that P. ×domesticum has genetic variation for postproduction quality that can be used in a breeding and selection program. Few progeny with high PPR were produced from either self- or cross-pollinations involving parents with low PPR. Many of the superior progeny resulted from parents with high PPR. Therefore, progeny with improved postproduction quality can be developed by selecting parents with high PPR.

Using safranin O as a fluorescent stain at a wavelength range of 355-425 nm has allowed us to distinguish the transmitting tissue and the nature of this tissue in pistils of members of the Geraniaceae and Gentianaceae. Xylem, amyloplasts, and high tannin containing tissues, such as mericarp walls, were also readily differentiated.