Effect of plant growth regulators on in vitro fiber development from unfertilized and fertilized Egyptian cotton ovules

Unfertilized and fertilized ovules of Gossypium barbadense Giza 45 (extra long staple variety) were used to study the effect of plant growth substances (auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins) on in vitro fiber initiation and development. Kinetin, alone did not increase total fiber unit (TFU) of unfertilized ovules, while an increase in TFU value occurred when a constant level of IAA and GA3 were used either separately or in combination in the liquid medium. GA3 used alone, produced a higher TFU value than that produced by IAA, whilst, IAA with a constant level of GA3 (5 μM) produced the highest value of TFU. GA3 with a constant level of IAA (5 μM) produced a lower TFU value. Kinetin reduced the stimulatory effect of IAA and GA3 on TFU value when used in combination with either substance. In fertilized ovules, the highest level of TFU was reached when IAA, with a constant level of GA3, was added to the medium, whilst its lowest level was obtained when IAA was used alone. Estimation of in vitro fiber production, as well as the effect of growth substances used in different concentrations on in vitro fiber initiation and development from unfertilized and fertilized ovules of Egyptian cotton varieties Gossypium barbadense Giza 45 are discussed.