ABSTRACT
Collectively, the species of the genus Syringa are some of the more easily micropropagated woody plants. The French hybrid lilac, S. vulgaris L., is among the easiest to establish in culture and has a relatively high multiplication rate. This chapter examines the isolation and culture of vegetative shoots of a woody plant in the microculture system. It focuses on the exploration of the effect of cytokinin type and concentration on axillary shoot multiplication and development. Cytokinins comprise a specific class of plant growth regulator (PGR). The tissue available for isolation for microculture is an important factor and, along with a number of other variables, can influence success rates. The ideal tissue is obtained from a small vegetative plant maintained in a "relatively" clean environment such as a greenhouse. Vegetative shoots from plants growing outside can be successfully used to initiate cultures, but the number of fungi and bacterial spores from rain/soil splash and so on, makes surface disinfestations more difficult.
