Flower Formation from Citrus unshiu Buds Cultured In Vitro

Flowers were formed in vitro when buds of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Mare) from the summer flush of growth harvested during the winter rest period before the onset of flower initiation, were grown on a solid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with sucrose and a cytokinin. Flower development was dependent upon illumination, and was enhanced when a piece of stem was attached to the bud. The percentage of flowering explants was always lower than the percentage of naturally flowering buds in spring, but treatments such as ringing which increase flowering in vitro, increased the number of explants flowering int vitro as well.