‘Vitrified’ Dianthus—Teratomata in vitro due to Growth Factor Imbalance*

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Abstract
Cultured shoot tips of Dianthus caryophyllus often develop as abnormal, ‘vitrified’ plants that have the characteristics of teratomata: stable, unlimited development with fasciated shoot apices, a bush habit, reduced stem elongation and succulent leaves. High concentrations of NAA in the culture medium increased and benzylaminopurine decreased the proportion of shoot-tips that developed as abnormal plants. The requirements of abnormal and normal plants for continued development differed. During the initial stages of development abnormal plants did not require auxin and they were able to continue their growth in the absence of roots. It is suggested that the abnormal plants are teratomata, similar to those induced by Crown Gall bacteria, and their induction and abnormal traits could be due to imbalance of auxins and cytokinins.