Effects of Cytokinins and Injury on the Formation of Shoot Buds by Leaves of Dendrophthoe falcata

A number of cytokinins induce shoot buds on leaves obtained from embryonal tissue (diploid) or endosperm tissue (triploid) of Dendrophthoe falcata cultured in vitro. The buds develop either by division of an epidermal cell which finally is organized into a shoot meristem; or the epidermal cell first produces a callus which subsequently gives rise to shoot buds. Buds do not develop in the absence of cytokinins. Injury to the leaf plays a major role in the distribution and number of shoot buds formed. Normal leaves on the plant do not regenerate buds even in the presence of a cytokinin.