Objective The general frame of the research is the improvement of techniques for in-vitro multiplication of woody species. Specific aims of the project are the search for ways to control vitrification and apex necrosis: physiological diseases perturbing the production of micropropagated plants at an industrial scale. Research has been directed towards the improvement of techniques for in vitro multiplication of woody species. A search was made for a better control of conditions for production of micropropagated plants at an industrial scale. The work resulted in the definition of a technique which allows avoidance of vitrification during in vitro proliferation of woody plants and can be applied either in liquid or in solid (gel) media without a diminution of the proliferation rate.The research has shown that there are possible and economical techniques available which are essential for the control and optimization of culture conditions. Although initially limited to woody species, extension of this type of research to other crops was demonstrated later. By this way, it is possible to produce plantlets in bioreactor, even for species susceptible to the vitrification.1) Vitrification - Search for and definition of reference media biological meterial (apple rootstock M.26) and culture conditions showing 0% (or low rate) and 100% vitrification rate after 1 month subculture (micropropagation phase). Standardization of plantlets used in the experiments. - Morphological characterization of vitrification. Classification and characterization of the various types of vitrification encountered in definite situations and media. - Study of the relations between the composition and characteristics of culture media and the development and appearance of vitrification : fractionation of hydrolysed agar, biological test and analysis of the fraction. 2) Apex necrosis - Choice and characterization of the biological material and of the culture conditions used in the study (wild cherry tree S4 in proliferation phase). - Study of the effect of variation in the concentration of medium components) on the development of necrosis. Definition of conditions avoiding necrosis during proliferation phase). - Study of the impact of the culture conditions (media composition) used during proliferation phase when explants are transferred in an elongation medium As reported in the initial description of the research programme, main emphasis was directed towards the resolution of the problem of vitrification as this disease can lead to the loss of more than 50% of the biological material. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental biotechnologybioremediationbioreactorsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture Programme(s) FP1-AGRIRES 3C - Joint research programmes (EEC) and programmes for coordinating agricultural research, 1984-1988 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Agronomic Research Centre "Station des cultures fruitieres et maraicheres" EU contribution No data Address 234, Chaussee de Charleroi 5800 GEMBLOUX Belgium See on map Total cost No data Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Ministere de la Technologie France EU contribution No data Address PARIS See on map Total cost No data Universite Catholique de Louvain Belgium EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data University of Leuven Belgium EU contribution No data Address LEUVEN See on map Total cost No data University of Liege Belgium EU contribution No data Address LIEGE See on map Total cost No data
