In vitro conservation of enset under slow-growth conditions

Studies on in vitro storage of enset under slow-growth conditions were carried out to develop an efficient protocol for conservation of the genetic diversity of the crop. The response to different growth retardation treatments was examined using three enset clones collected from southwestern Ethiopia. In vitro cultures could be effectively maintained for 6 months at 15 °C and 18 °C on MS medium supplemented with 10 μM BAP, in the presence of mannitol at concentrations of 0, 1 or 2% as a growth retardant. Shoots were subsequently recovered and multiplied on MS medium supplemented with 10 and 20 μM BAP at 25 °C and rooted shoots were successfully transferred to the greenhouse. Incubation at the lower temperature (15 °C) and the presence of mannitol in the culture medium had a significantly positive effect on maintenance, measured by the number of recovered shoots after storage. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Regeneration of Ensete ventricosum through somatic embryogenesis and adventitious buds

In southern and south-western Ethiopia, Ensete ventricosum is grown as an important starchy, staple food crop, supporting the diet of a quarter of the Ethiopian population. Due to difficulty in germinating seeds and the long vegetative period, breeding enset is extremely difficult. Adventitious buds and somatic embryos have been induced from callus derived from corm tissues and cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) basal medium supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BAP) or 6 --dimethylallylamino purine 2iP. Elongation of somatic embryos was achieved on the same medium and rooting was induced on half-strength MS basal medium supplemented with IBA. No phenotypic variation was observed among more than 200 potted regenerants. The possible implications for mutation breeding in this crop are discussed.Abbreviations IAA Indole-acetic acid - IBA Indole-butyric acid - BAP Benzylaminopurine - 2iP 6 --dimethylallylamino purine     

Factors affecting plant regeneration from leaf segments of Anthurium scherzerianum Schott (Araceae) cultured in vitro

Regeneration from Anthurium scherzerianum leaf segments was found to be highly dependent on genotype and leaf age. Of the various medium factors tested, the NH₄NO₃ level had the most significant effect on callus and shoot formation from leaf tissue. A low level of NH₄NO₃ (200 mg/l) proved beneficial to the induction of regeneration in all genotypes investigated. As compared to induction, multiplication of callus and shoots in subcultures was less susceptible to the action of various medium factors. After isolation from callus, shoots readily formed roots in the absence of growth regulators. High NH₄NO₃ level (720 mg/l) strongly accelerated root formation. Rooting ability progressively decreased as a consequence of repeated shoot multiplication in the presence of benzyladenine (BA) as sole growth regulator. The advantages and limitations of different micropropagation schemes are discussed.     

In vitro regeneration of plantlets in Brassica alboglabra

Different vegetative parts of Brassica alboglabra seedlings and mature plants were used as explants in culture.A high frequency (60–100%) of shoot regeneration was obtained from hypocotyl explants, nodal stem segments, internodal segments and shoot apices cultured on Murashige-Skoog basal medium. Addition of 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin increased the average number of shoots per explant. When detached and transferred to basal medium, the shoots readily developed roots. Regenerated plantlets could be successfully transplanted in soil.     

In vitro plant regeneration of spinach from mature seed-derived callus

Summary A system for the regeneration of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) from mature dry seed explants has been established. The response of two commercial spinach cultivars, ‘Grandstand’ and ‘Baker’, was examined. Callus proliferation was most prominent on MS medium supplemented with 9.3 μM of 6-furfurylaminopurine (kinetin) and 3.39 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Adventitious shoot formation was observed within 8 wk after callus was transferred onto regeneration medium. Shoot regeneration was best from callus induced on 9.3 μM kinetin and 4.56 μM 2,4-D. The regeneration medium contained 9.3 μM kinetin, 0.045 μM 2,4-D, and 2.89 μM gibberellic acid (GA₃). Shoots were rooted on hormone-free medium, and plants grown in a greenhouse showed normal phenotype. This system is beneficial in rapid propagation of spinach plants, particularly when only a limited number of seeds are available.     

In vitro plantlet regeneration from embryonic explants ofPinus pinea L

Summary Clonal propagation ofPinus pinea L. was achieved by organogenesis on cotyledon explants and the influence of several factors on adventitious bud production and development was investigated. Gupta and Durzan (DCR) medium with benzyladenine (5 μM) induced higher bud production. Bud development and shoot elongation required subcultures on medium with activated charcoal. Rooting was obtained after 10 d culture on medium containing IBA (10 μM).     

In vitro plant regeneration in Holarrhena antidysenterica wall., through high-frequency axillary shoot prolieferation

Summary An efficient, rapid and large-scale propagation of the woody, aromatic and medicinal shrub, Holarrhena antidysenterica, through in vitro culture of nodal segments with axillary buds, is described. N⁶-benzyladenine used at 15 μM was the most effective in inducing bud break and growth, and also in initiating multiple shoot proliferation at the rate of 43 microshoots per nodal explant with axillary buds, after 30 d of eulture. By repeated subculturing of nodal explants with axillary buds, a high-frequency multiplication rate was established. Efficient rooting was achieved with 35 μM indole-3-butyric acid which was the most effective in inducing roots, as 80% of the microshoots produced roots. Plantlets went through a bardening phase in a controlled plant growth chamber, prior to ex vitro transfer Micropropagated plants established in garden soil were uniform and identical to donor plants with respect to growth characteristics and vegetative morphology.     

In vitro shoot regeneration from olive cultivar tissues

Petioles, leaf discs and midribs of several olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars, collected from potted greenhouse plants, field-grown and in vitro shoots, were used to test their morphogenic capacity. Adventitious shoots were induced only in petioles from in vitro-grown shoots of cultivars Moraiolo, Dolce Agogia and Halkidikis, grown on Olive Medium (OM) plus 18 M zeatin within 4 to 5 weeks. Regeneration was achieved, both on Murashige and Skoog (MS) and on modified OM, only in the dark. The highest regeneration was achieved directly from the proximal part of the petioles after 2 to 3 weeks in media containing 5 to 40 M thidiazuron, or with both 10 M 2-isopentenyladenine +2.2 M 6-benzyladenine with or without low auxin concentration (not more than 2.5 M). A few adventitious shoots were also regenerated from callus when it was shifted from auxin and cytokinin media to cytokinin only medium. The regeneration potential was higher in petioles collected from apical nodes than from basal ones. The adventitious shoots were transferred to solid half-strength MS medium supplemented with 4.5 M zeatin for further development. Several regenerated shoots were rooted and the plantlets hardened in the greenhouse. No apparent differences regarding morphological aspects were observed among the regenerated plantlets or with those obtained by stimulation of axillary buds.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - TDZ thidiazuron (N-phenyl-N-1,2,3-thidiazol-5-ylurea) - 2iP 2-isopentenyladenine - MS Murashige and Skoog medium - 1/2 MS half strength MS - OM Olive Medium - BN Bourgin & Nitsch     

In vitro plant regeneration from seedling-derived explants of ramie [Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud]

Ramie [Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud] is one of the most important perennial fiber crops in China. In vitro tissue culture of ramie could serve as an important means for its improvement through genetic transformation. To improve the regeneration capacity of ramie, the effects on plant regeneration of donor plant age, basal medium, plant growth regulators, and culture conditions were evaluated using explants derived from the cotyledon, hypocotyl, leaf, petiole, and stem of ramie seedlings. Cotyledons and hypocotyls excised from 4-d-old seedlings and leaves and petioles and stems from 15-d-old seedlings were optimal explants. The highest regeneration efficiency was obtained on Murashige and Skoog salts with Gamborg’s B₅ vitamins basal medium containing 2.27 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0.054 μM naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for the five explant types tested. A photoperiod of 16:8 h (light/dark) was found to be superior than continuous darkness for regeneration of ramie using TDZ. The regenerated shoots were transferred to hormone-free medium for shoot elongation and successfully rooted on half-strength Murashige and Skoog supplemented with 0.134 μM NAA. The rooted plantlets with four to five leaves were transplanted to greenhouse for further growth.     

In vitro high frequency plant regeneration from hypocotyl and root segments of spinach by organogenesis

An efficient protocol for spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) plant regeneration from hypocotyl and root segments was established. When the sub-apical hypocotyl and tip-free root segments were cultured on Murashige & Skoog (1962)-based medium containing high concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid (85.62 M) and gibberellic acid (100 M), more than 75% and 90% of the hypocotyl and root explants, respectively, formed shoots. After elongation, more than 92% of the shoots rooted on medium supplemented with 2.85–5.71 M of indole-3-acetic acid. More than 70% of rooted plantlets survived in soil and were fertile. Significant interactions between growth regulator combinations, explant types and environmental conditions on shoot initiation, development and rooting were discussed.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - BM Murashige & Skoog basal medium - B5 Gamborg et al. medium (1968) - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - 2ip isopentenyladenine - GA₃ gibberellic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - MS Murashige & Skoog medium (1962) - NAA naphthaleneacetic acid - HS hypocotyl segments - RSS root segments of seedlings - RSV foot segments of in vitro plantlets     

In vitro regeneration of Acacia mangium via organogenesis

Plant regeneration of Acacia mangium was achieved through organogenesis in callus cultures. Calli were induced from five types of explants (embryo axes and cotyledons of mature zygotic embryos as well as leaflets, petioles and stems of seedlings) of A. mangium on MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) basal medium containing 9.05 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 13.95 μM kinetin (KT). Green or green purple compact nodules containing clusters of meristematic centers were induced in these calli after transfer to MS basal medium containing 1.14–22.75 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) and 1.43–2.86 μM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). A combination of 4.55 μM TDZ and 1.43 μM IAA promoted the highest percentage of calli to form nodules, in 8–11% of calli derived from cotyledons, embryo axes, leaflets or petiole and in 4% of calli derived from stems. Twenty-two percent of the nodules formed adventitious shoots on MS basal medium containing 0.045 μM TDZ. Shoots were elongated on MS medium containing 0.045 μM TDZ supplemented with 7.22 μM gibberellic acid. The medium containing 10.75 μM NAA and 2.33 μM KT promoted rooting of 10% of the elongated shoots. Plantlets grew up well in the green house. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In vitro regeneration and propagation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) from meristem tips and cotyledonary nodes

Summary Two representative cultivars ofCicer arietinum, the desi-type cv.Annigeri and the kabuli-type cv.ICCV6, were regenerated in vitro and clonally propagated from cotyledonary nodes and meristem tips. The explants were dissected from 1-wk-old seedlings aseptically germinated on WH medium. In both cultivars, all nodes cultured on B5 medium supplemented with 4.4μM 6-benzylaminopurine developed up to seven shoots per node within 3 wk. Meristem tips were much better suited for multiple shoot formation. Cultured on DKW-C-a medium supplemented with 4.4μM 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.05μM indole-3-butyric acid, 96% of the meristem tips produced up to 10 shoots per explant. A new method in improving clonal propagation was subdividing the meristem tips. Doing so, multiple shoot formation was considerably enhanced: up to 90 shoots per original explant could be obtained with cv.Annigeri, and up to 50 with cv.ICCV6. Indole-3-butyric acid proved to be the best rooting factor. From several media tested, the best root induction and development was achieved on WH medium supplemented with 2.5μ M indole-3-butyric acid: 72% rooting with cv.Annigeri and 68% rooting with cv.ICCV6. With both cultivars there were no differences in rooting capacity between shoots of nodal origin and those derived from meristem tips. The plantlets obtained were transferred into soil and kept under greenhouse conditions. The survival frequency was 28% with cv.Annigeri and 23% with cv.ICCV6. R₀ plants remained smaller than seed-grown controls and produced only a few fertile seeds. There was no difference between R₁ plants and controls in growth, development, and seed set.     

In vitro plant regeneration from cotyledon explants of Swainsona salsula Taubert

An effective protocol has been developed for plant regeneration from cotyledon explants of Swainsona salsula Taubert (Saline swainsona), a medicinal and agronomic shrub. Adventitious shoots were obtained from 83.2% of cotyledon explants from 3-day seedlings cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.0 mg l⁻¹ thidiazuron (TDZ), with an average of 9.3 shoots per explant. Individual elongated shoots were rooted on half strength MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), with 59.3% success. Regenerated plants with well developed shoots and roots were successfully transferred to soil, without detectable variants. Histological observation revealed that shoots developed from cotyledon explants via organogenesis, with little callus. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In vitro regeneration from excised leaves of Flaveria trinervia (Sprengel) C. Mohr

Flaveria trinervia (Compositae) leaves are used for the treatment of jaundice and fever. From the leaf callus cultures regeneration of plantlets has been achieved. The results showed that BAP greatly stimulated the bud formation in concentrations ranging from 2–5 mg l^–1 than at very low concentrations (0.2–1.0 mg l^–1). Roots developed on the regenerated shoots, over a range of treatments, but were most prolific in the medium containing 1 mg l^–1 IAA. Histological observations revealed that cultured spongy cells of the mesophyll were greatly enlarged and underwent repeated cell divisions leading to the formation of hard nodular callus from which shoot buds differentiated. The shoots obtained were readily rooted and transplanted into glass houses. Cytological studies of the callus showed abnormalities such as bridges, endomitosis and multinucleolate conditions. Root tip squashes of the regenerated plants showed no variations and were diploid in chromosome number.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - NAA napthalene acetic acid - IAA indole acetic acid - BAP 6-benzyl aminopurine - Kn kinetin     

Rapid adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf explants of European birch

The goal of this research was to develop a rapid and efficient system for regenerating shoots from leaf explants of European birch, Betula pendula Roth. Single-node stem explants were established in culture, and microshoots were subcultured every 4 weeks through 12 subcultures. Leaves from glasshouse plants or subcultured shoots were excised from stems, cut into approximately 35-mm² pieces, and placed on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) containing different combinations of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0, 3, 6 or 9 M) and benzyladenine (BA) (0, 7.5, 15 or 22.5 M) in a 4×4 factorial design. The percentage of leaf pieces forming shoots and the number of shoots regenerated per explant were recorded after 4 weeks. Only media containing BA without NAA stimulated shoot formation on leaf explants. Fifteen micromolar BA induced the most shoots to form on leaf explants compared to 30, 45 or 60 M of this cytokinin. In addition, shoot regeneration was enhanced up to four-fold between the first and eleventh subculture. Over 90% of the leaf explants regenerated shoots with an average of 18 buds formed per explant for the eleventh subculture. Almost twice as many explants formed shoots if their adaxial side was in contact with the medium rather than oriented away from it. The ability to regenerate shoots from leaves varied among plants, regardless of stock plant age. This reliable shoot regeneration system can be used for rapid shoot proliferation and potentially for genetic engineering of European birch.     

ABA contents and the regeneration ability of Fritillaria imperialis L. cultured in vitro

Correlation between ABA content in “mother” tissue and subsequent regeneration ability of Fritillaria imperialis cultured in vitro was investigated. In every experiment regeneration was always most efficient from plant material containing the lowest amount of free ABA: a leafy stem part, bulbs used for micropropagation in October and those stored two months at 30 °C prior to in vitro culture. However, no direct correlation between the absolute amounts of ABA and percentage of regeneration was found.     

In vitro culture of Ginkgo

Summary Ginkgo biloba L. is an important landscape tree, is resistant to insect, fungi and other pests, and produces a number of chemicals that have pharmaceutical properties (termed ginkgolides). Studies were initiated to establish an in vitro culture protocol for Ginkgo. Explants (intact embryos, embryos with cotyledons removed, and cotyledon tissue) were removed from disinfested seeds and cultured on Murashige and Skoog minimal organics medium with various combinations of either 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and either kinetin or benzyladenine (BA). Cultures were incubated in the light and morphological development was recorded. Both embryo and cotyledon explants produced callus (cotyledon tissue produced the most callus). Ginkgolides A and B were detected in callus tissue extracts. Intact embryo cultures initiated on media with 2,4-D plus NAA for 5 wk produced shoots and roots when transferred to media with 4.5 μM 2,4-D alone for an additional 5 wk. Plants were transferred from the 2,4-D media to pots and maintained in the greenhouse.     

In vitro multiplication of Coleus forskohlii Briq.: An approach towards shortening the protocol

Summary A protocol has been developed that leads to the development of complete plantlets of Coleus forskohlii within 35–40 d by culturing stem tip explants in MS medium containing 0.57 μM indole-3-acetic acid and 0.46 μM kinetin through direct multiplication at the rate of 12.5 shoots per explant. About 100% shoots rooted and micropropagated plants were successfully established in soil after hardening with a high survival rate. The significance of the present micropropagation protocol of C. forskohlii is the formulation of growth regulators which effected very fast multiplication of the plant (time reduced to one-third of the hitherto known methods).     

Factors controlling adventitious bud induction and plant regeneration in matureJuniperus oxycedrus leaves cultured in vitro

Summary The morphogenetic capacity of matureJuniperus oxycedrus L. leaves cultured in vitro has been studied, noting nutritive, hormonal, and environmental factors inducing differentiation and development of adventitious shoots. Bud primordia formed directly from the leaves. Highest bud differentiation rates were obtained when the explants were cultured for at least 21 days on a modified Schenk and Hildebrandt solidified medium containing 0.5 μM benzyladenine under a 16-h photoperiod. Maximum bud development and elongation was achieved on cytokinin-free medium containing 4% (wt/vol) sucrose and 0.05% (wt/vol) activated charcoal. Regenerated shoots were excised and induced to root on media with auxin. Rooting percentages up to 100% were obtained in the presence of 2.5 μM naphthaleneacetic acid and 4% (wt/vol) sucrose. The inclusion of activated charcoal in the root induction medium drastically reduced the number of rooted shoots. Following conventional procedures, plantlets were ultimately established in soil.     

In vitro regeneration of silktree (Albizzia julibrissin) from excised roots

Root segments (1 cm long) were excised from 15–20 day old seedlings of silktree (Albizzia julibrissin) grown on B5 medium. About 50% of the control (no growth regulators added) root explants formed shoot buds within 15 days after placement on the culture medium. After 30 days, there were about 4 shoots per control explant. Addition of low levels of various auxins (0.5 M) did not influence the formation of shoot buds from the explants. Higher concentrations (5M), however, decreased shoot regeneration. Kinetin and 2iP did not influence shoot regeneration at the concentrations tested (1 & 10 M). Addition of benzyladenine, Zeatin, or thidiazuron to the culture medium increased both the percentage of explants that formed shoots and the number of shoots per explant. Thidiazuron was highly effective in stimulating shoot formation at low concentrations (<1 M). At 0.05 M thidiazuron, 95% of the explants produced shoots and about 10 shoots were formed per explant. Compared to TDZ, higher concentrations (10 M) of benzyladenine and Zeatin were required to enhance shoot formation. Upon excision and transfer to B5 medium, regenerated shoots developed into normal rooted plantlets.Abbreviations BA Benzyladenine - IAA Indoleacetic acid - IBA Indolebutyric acid - NAA Naphthaleneacetic acid - TDZ Thidiazuron - 2ip Isopentenyladenine