Thidiazuron-induced high-frequency plant regeneration from leaf explants of Paulownia tomentosa mature trees

Attempts were made to study the effect of thidiazuron (TDZ) on adventitious shoot induction and plant development in Paulownia tomentosa explants derived from mature trees. Media with different concentrations of TDZ in combination with an auxin were used to induce adventitious shoot-buds in two explant types: basal leaf halves with the petiole attached (leaf explant) and intact petioles. Optimal shoot regeneration was obtained in leaf explants cultured on induction medium containing TDZ (22.7 or 27.3 μM) in combination with 2.9 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) for 2 weeks, and subsequent culture in TDZ-free shoot development medium including 0.44 μM BA for a further 4-week period. The addition of IAA to the TDZ induction medium enhanced the shoot-forming capacity of explants. The caulogenic response varied significantly with the position of the explant along the shoot axis. The highest regeneration potential (85–87%) and shoot number (up to 17.6 shoots/explant) were obtained in leaf explants harvested from the most apical node exhibiting unfolded leaves (node 1). An analogous trend was also observed in intact petiole explants, although shoot regeneration ability was considerably lower, with values ranging from 15% for petioles isolated from node 1 to 5% for those of nodes 2 and 3. Shoot formation capacity was influenced by the genotype, with regeneration frequencies ranging from 50% to 70%. It was possible to root elongated shoots (20 mm) in basal medium without growth regulators; however, rooting frequency was significantly increased up to 90% by a 7-day treatment with 0.5 μM indole-3-butyric acid, regardless of the previous culture period in shoot development medium (4 or 8 weeks). Shoot quality of rooted plantlets was improved not only by IBA treatment but also by using material derived from the 4-week culture period. Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse 8 weeks after transplanting.