Abstract: This article aimed at studying the effects of stem section with different position and defoliation treatment on the growth of Lonicera nitida ‘Maigrun’ plantlet in vitro. The top stem section with stem apex, the middle-basic stem section and the middle-basic stem section with different leaf cutting treatments (2 leaves cut down, 1 leaf cut down or no leaf cut down) were respectively cultured in 1/4 MS medium with 30 g/L sugar added. The results show that both the germination rate and the propagation coefficient of the top stem section with stem apex were obviously higher than that of the middle-basic stem section, while there were no obvious difference in the rooting rate, the root length and the root number between the top stem section and the middle-basic stem section. Both the germination rate and the propagation coefficient of the middle-basic stem section with 2 leaves cut down were obviously higher than that of the stem section with no leaf cut down, but the rooting rate, the root length of the stem section with 2 leaves cut down was obviously lower than that of the stem section with no leaf cut down. During the Lonicera nitida ‘Maigrun’ micro-shoot multiplication culture by one-nod stem section cutting, the all 2 leaves of the middle-basic stem section should be cut down, but in rooting culture the leaves should not be cut down.

Key words: Lonicera nitida ‘Maigrun’, plantlet in vitro, stem section position, defoliation, growth