Effect of aluminium and copper on the development of birch (Betula pendula Roth.) cultured in vitro and in vivo

Adventitious bud cultures were established by using buds of a selected birch clone (Betula pendula Roth.) resistant to industrial pollution. The Murashige and Skoog medium (1/2 and 1/4 MS) was used for multiplication and rooting of shoots. Aluminium was added to the medium, in the form of aluminium sulphate (50–100 mg Al dm–3), and birch culture was continued in vitro for over 12 months. The shoots developed on media with aluminium (Al+) proved to be more tolerant to aluminium and copper (added to the medium as nitrates or sulphates, at a concentration of 0.05–2.0 mM) during multiplication and rooting than those developed on media without aluminium (Al–). Rooted birch microcuttings obtained from cultures on media with aluminium (Al+) grew better in the soil from an unpolluted area (Zwierzyniec, Z) and from an area polluted by a phosphate fertilise factory (Luboń, L) than those from media without aluminium (Al–).