In vitro Cloning of the Deciduous Timber Tree Sassafras randaiense

Shoot apex expiants were obtained from 5 year-old grafted Taiwan sassafras. A modified Linsmaier and Skoog medium was used. When grown on a medium with 60 mg·l⁻¹ KN, explants formed multiple-bud-masses (MBMs). Shoots of 1 cm or longer from the MBMs were harvested and conditioned for root induction. Sporadic rooting, less than 20%, has been obtained thus far. A 95% survival rate resulted after the rooted plantlets were transplanted into flats. Effective hormonal additives for the primary cultures, MBM proliferation, shoot conditioning and root induction were 60 mg·l⁻¹ KN, 5 mg·l⁻¹ KN + 0.05 mg·l⁻¹ NAA, 5 mg·l⁻¹ BA + 0.05 mg·l⁻¹ NAA and 5 to 10 mg·l⁻¹ IBA, respectively. The rate of leaf chlorosis, abscission and stem necrosis were lower when shoots from MBMs were incubated in medium with 2× FeEDTA at 18–20°C than in 1x FeEDTA at 25°C. The addition of glutamine and arginine in medium stimulated leaf expansion.