Artificial pollination and in vitro ovule-embryo germination of Salix alba

In order to find a reliable sexual reproduction system of Salix alba, and induction of genetic variation of such a highly vegetative propagated tree, controlled pollination and in vitro germination of isolated ovaries were conducted. Collected pollen grains in green-house were used for pollination. Artificial pollination was performed by high dusting on female flower using twig and pot system. For embryo germination isolated 10, 14 and 21 days old capsules were transferred to the MS and Half- MS medium. Analysis of recorded data showed that there were significant differences between the different ages of embryos for embryo germination. Highest embryo-germination was observed on 14 days old (Days after pollination) embryos (72/5%). In spite of no significant differences between the studied culture media, the highest embryo germination was observed on MS medium (63/3%). Morphological variation was observed in generated plants from ovary-embryo culture. Thirty seven single plants are left to be developed in the field after successful acclimatization in green-house.