The Use of Tissue Culture to Separate Apple (Malus Sp.) Chimeras Into Their Constituent Genotype(s) and to Induce Anthocyanin Production

Abstract

To assess somaclonal variation, 'Gala', 'Royal Gala' and 'Jonagold' trees obtained via axillary and adventitious bud formation were compared ex vitro to conventionally grafted trees. In general, tissue culture-derived trees were relatively erect and their branch angles were relatively narrower in comparison to grafted trees. All trees that flowered had pink blossoms and red to cream colored fruit. There were no obvious differences in flowering time or in floral morphology. Although there were differences in the range of fruit color and in the degree of pigmentation from tree-to-tree between 'Royal Gala' and 'Gala' apples for both control and tissue culture-derived plants, none of the variation exceeded that observed among control trees. We conclude that 'Gala' and 'Royal Gala' showed very little somaclonal variation for the morphological and reproductive traits we studied, suggesting tissue culture trees can be a good method to propagate apple plants.