Micropropagation trials of rose. [Italian

Experiments were carried out on micropropagation of rose, using Rosa indica major explants for the multiplication phase, in order to ascertain: (a) the effects of different cytokinins, obtaining best results with BAP and Zeatin, although the latter produced a chlorotic appearance and a glassy consistency in the explants; (b) interaction between BAP, at a constant concentration, and IBA + GA(,3) at different concentrations, which gave negative results, as it lowered multiplication rates compared to the BAP-treated control; (c) interaction between 1 ppm BAP and ascorbic acid at different concentrations, which increased multiplication rates with ascorbic acid concentration of 4 and 8 ppm. Experiments carried out on the rooting phase were divided in two parts: in the first one, different substrates with IBA added at different levels were considered, using Rosa indica major explants, obtaining highest rooting percentage (60%) using 0,05 ppm IBA. In the second part, extended also to cv: Lady X", growth regulator free substrate were used, but treating the shoots at the base with water/alcohol IBA solutions at various concentrations before proceeding with the culture. With this last method the best results were obtained reaching the 85% of rooted explants both with Rosa indica major and "Lady X". The experiments have shown the possibility of applying the micropropagation technique both to rootstock and rose cultivars. The technique, suitably adjusted, could help and eventually substitute the traditional one for obtaining rooted cuttings with indisputable technical and economic advantages.