Effect of technique and darkness on the success of meristem micrografting of Picea abies

Abstract

The possibility of micrografting in vitro shoot meristems of #Picea abies# were investigated on a 18 year-old Norway spruce clone. The rates of success were shown to be greatly influenced by the grafting technique used and by light, with a positive effect of a 2 to 3 week darkness period applied to the stocks just after they had been grafted. Average scores of more than 50% of success were obtained. However, substantial variability in terms of shoot expansion among the grafted plants existed in vitro, as well as after transfer to ex-vitro conditions. (Résumé d'auteur