XVI International Botanical Congess

Many Australian native plants are recalcitrant to conventional propagation methods. Therefore in vitro regeneraton methods are essential to propagate these plants for commercial or conservational purposes. Styphelia tenuiflora and Conostephium pendulum (Epacridaceae) are target species of highly recalcitrant native heaths. Various growth regulators were examined to establish the most effective for successful regeneration of these species. A combination of zeatin 10uM and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) 5 uM has resulted in the first record of in vitro regeneration observed in these two species. Experimental results showed that the young leaves produced after the growth flush in early summer and the soft young stems produced the greatest number of new shoots.