The influence of sanitary status and the position of explants on the growth and development of in vitro of ꞌplavac maliꞌ and ꞌpošipꞌ

This study determines the in vitro influence of viruses (GLRaV-1, GLRaV-3, GFLV, GVA) and the position of meristems on initial shoots on the growth and development of ‘Plavac Mali’ and ‘Pošip’ grapevine cultivars. Infected clones were inoculated on MS medium with 0.5 mg l1-1 benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.05 mg l-1 indole-3-acetic-acid (IAA). The positions of meristems were: a – 1st; b – 2nd and 3rd; and c – 4th and 5th. The height and number of nodes, as well as the size of callus, were measured four and eight weeks after inoculation. Clone, position of explants, and sanitary status show no significant influence on tested parameters, except in callus formation, where shoot apex formed the lowest callus. Results revealed that axillary buds on the shoot of grapevine, infected with economically important viruses, can be used for biotechnology purposes.