Hormonal Control of Differentiation of Shoots, Roots and Embryos in Leaf and Stem Cultures of Petunia inflata and Petunia hybrida

Factors influencing adventitious bud and root development, callus induction and embryogenesis were investigated in stem and leaf cultures of Petunia inflata R. E. Fries and Petunia hybrida cv. Cascade and cv. Rose du ciel grown on a synthetic nutrient medium. Indoleacetic acid caused limited callus development and root formation whereas naphthaleneacetic acid Induced abundant roots. 2,4‐Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid promoted callus growth and differentiation of embryos which eventually developed into plantlets. Cytokinins such as benzyladenine, zeatin and kinetin induced bud development. A combination of auxins and cytokinins caused an interaction which was manifested in altered morphogenetic response. Thus 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in conjunction with benzyladenine caused suppression of bud development and retarded differentiation of embryos. Likewise, when benzyladenine was used with indoleacetic acid root development was totally inhibited and abundant buds were produced.