In Vitro Rejuvenation of Betula (Betulaceae): Morphological Evaluation

The extent of rejuvenation that occurs during in vitro culture and propagation of Betula was determined. Comparisons were made between half‐sib seedlings and micropropagated, grafted, and cutting‐propagated mature‐phase birch plants grown under similar conditions. To measure relative levels of juvenility, three clones were examined at 1, 4, and 8 mo postpropagation, for differences in stem and leaf morphology and the presence or absence of reproductive structures. Numerous morphological indicators of phase change in Betula were identified. Micropropagated plants are not initially morphologically identical to conventionally propagated mature plants and display many features characteristic of seedlings. Micropropagated plants that exhibited juvenile morphology developed mature morphology more rapidly than did plants grown from seed. However, some mature‐phase morphological characteristics did not return to micropropagated plants during the time frame of the study. Rejuvenation of Betula appears to occur during in vitro micropropagation, but the level of juvenility that is regained may not be equivalent to that of a seedling. Not all morphological indicators of phase change are affected equally by in vitro rejuvenation.