plantlets from each treatment. This experiment was repeated twice(2 x 8 months). 17-19 plantlets from each treatment were divided into roots and shoots. Then both the shoot and root samples were washed in distilled water and placed in a forced air oven to dry at 700C for 72 hrs. The dried plant materi- al was digested in a diacid(HNO, Hclo) mixture. After dilution, the digests were processed for copper(Cu), zinc(Zn), iron(Fe) and calcium(Ca) analysis using the ASA method. The remaining plantlets were washed gently with tap water to remove traces of agar and nutrients, after which they were transplanted into plastic pots containing wet pieces of bark. The pots and plantlets were covered with a plastic bag for 2 weeks and were transferred into a plant growth chamber at 22-24°C, with a photon fluence of 200 umol m 2 s 1 and a 16-h photoperiod. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using analysis of vari- ance on mean values, applying the Tukey's test for assessment of differences, at the significance level a 0.05.