In vitro micropropagation of Boswellia ovalifoliolata

A protocol for micropropagation of Boswellia ovalifoliolata Bal & Henry (Burseraceae) was developed using cotyledonary nodal explant on Murashige and Skoog modified medium (MS). A comparative study of micropropagation with 6-benzyladenine, kinetin and thidiazuron along with 1-naphthalene acetic acid (0.054 microM) was conducted. The highest shoot multiplication (7.1 +/- 0.2 shoots per node) was achieved in 50 d on MS supplemented with thidiazuron (2.72 microM). Excised shoot cuttings of 3.0 cm were placed on the MS basal medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid alone and in combinations for rooting. Activated charcoal (100 mg l(-1)) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (40 mg l(-1)) were added to the medium to prevent browning of cultures. The regenerated plantlets have been successfully acclimatized and transferred to soil.     

Onset of in vitro rhizogenesis response and peroxidase activity in Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae)

The induction of rooting in microshoots of Zingiber officinale cvs. Suprava, Turia local, Suruchi and V3S18 was achieved on half-strength basal Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 0.5-1.0 mg/l either indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 2% (w/v) sucrose within 7-9 days of culture. Rooting was inhibited when the microshoots were cultured under higher concentration of auxins. The microshoots cultured on medium supplemented with NAA induced large number of thin root hairs with friable calluses within 6-7 days. Peroxidase activity was determined during root induction (0-day to the 10th day at every 2 day interval) from microshoots derived in vitro. The activity was minimum in the inductive phase (primary) and at the maximum level during the root initiative phase. These finding may be useful in monitoring the rooting behaviour in microshoots derived from different subculture and peroxidase activity as a marker for root initiation.     

Adventitious rooting performance in micropropagated Cornus mas

Axillary buds sampled from a mature 27-year-old Cornus mas cv. Macrocarpa were grown in vitro on modified woody plant medium (WPM). Adventitious rooting performance of microshoots was assayed on half-strength WPM supplemented with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) under various pH. NAA induced significantly higher rooting frequencies than IBA. The pH of 6.8 inhibited rooting, and differentiated roots were extremely thick and fragile. The highest rooting frequency was recorded on half-strength WPM supplemented with 5.37 µM NAA at the pH value adjusted to 6.2 (73 % of rooted shoots). In the presence of IBA, the formation of adventitious roots was observed only in the basal part of the microshoot dipped into rooting medium. In the case of NAA, however, adventitious roots arose also from the parts of microshoots that were not in contact with medium. The growth of aerial roots was always positively gravitropic. The nuclear microsatellite Cf-G17 gave a monomorphic fingerprinting pattern across the mother shrub and micropropagated plantlets. Acclimatized plants did not show any visually detectable morphological variation and the aerial adventitious root formation was no longer observed.     

In vitro organogenesis in Dalbergia retusa (Papilonaceae)

Plants were obtained via organogenesis from hypocotyl explants of Dalbergia retusa from in vitro germinated seedlings. Adventitious bud induction was achieved on Murashige and Skoog medium containing five BA (benzyladenine) concentrations. The best BA concentration for budding induction and budding development was 8.8 microM. Shoot rooting was obtained on half-strength modified MS basal medium, supplemented with 20 g x l(-1) of sucrose and five concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The highest number of shoot rooting was obtained with 19.7 microM IBA but the highest average number of roots for plantlet was achieved with 24.6 microM IBA. Plants were transferred to greenhouse conditions.     

Exogenous polyamines improve rooting of hazel microshoots

A strong positive effect of polyamines on rooting of microshoots of adult hazel (Corylus avellana L., cv. Gironell) is described. The effect of polyamines, both in the root induction solution and in the actual rooting medium, was assessed in order to study the effect on the successive rooting phases. Polyamines improved rooting of indole-3-butyric acid-treated microshoots in a synergistic fashion, perhaps by favouring a better induction of roots, with an acceleration of the response (only half the time required for rooting compared to the control). When applied without indole-3-butyric acid, polyamines had only a limited positive effect on rooting, although longer exposure times and/or higher concentrations could increase their effect. Possible rapid uptake and translocation of polyamines in the xylem in our system is discussed. The results offer a new approach to enhance rooting ability of species that are normally difficult to root.Abbreviations BM basal medium - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - Put putrescine - Spd spermidine - Spm spermine     

Effect of Auxins on in vitro Rooting of Plumbago Zeylanica: Peroxidase Activity as a Marker for Root Induction

Induction of rooting in the microshoots of Plumbago zeylanica was achieved on halfstrength basal Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 0.25 mg dm^–3 indole-3-butyric acid. Rooting was totally inhibited when the microshoots were cultured in vitro under continuous light, however, maximum percentage of microshoots rooted when incubated in continuous light for 4 weeks before transfer to the rooting media. Peroxidase activity increased markedly during root induction indicating a key role of peroxidase in rooting of microshoots of Plumbago zeylanica in vitro.     

Morphogenetic responses of cultured cells of cambial origin of a mature tree — Dalbergia sissoo Roxb

Regeneration of plantlets was achieved from cell suspension derived calli of cambial origin from mature elite trees of Dalbergia sissoo. Callus proliferation occurred on the cambial tissue pieces cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.0 mg/1) and benzylaminopurine (0.1 mg/l). Suspension cultures were obtained by transferring and agitating callus lumps in liquid medium composed as above. Aggregates of about 30 cells were plated on semi solid medium, which developed into calli. Shoot bud differentiation was observed in the calli transferred to medium devoid of auxin but containing 0.5–2.0 mg/1 benzylaminopurine. The isolated microshoots were rooted on modified MS medium containing low organic salts and auxins.Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IPA indole-3-propionic acid - KN kinetin - MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid     

In vitro clonal propagation of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

Rapid shoot multiplication of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. was achieved from axillary meristems on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 1.0–1.5 mg dm⁻³ 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), 50 mg dm⁻³ adenine sulfate (Ads) and 3 % (m/v) sucrose. Inclusion of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the culture medium along with BA + Ads promoted a higher rate of shoot multiplication. Maximum mean number of microshoots per explant (6.65) was achieved on the MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg dm⁻³ BA, 50 mg dm⁻³ Ads and 0.1 mg dm⁻³ IAA after 4 weeks of culture. The elongated shoots rooted within 13 to 14 d on half-strength MS medium supplemented with either indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), IAA or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with 2 % sucrose. Maximum percentage of rooting was obtained on medium having 0.25 mg dm⁻³ IBA and 0.1 mg dm⁻³ IAA. About 70 % of the rooted plantlets survived in the greenhouse. The in vitro raised plants were grown normally in the field.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> adventitious shoot organogenesis and plant regeneration from seedling explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Albizia odoratissima</Emphasis> L.f. (Benth.)

Epicotyl, petiole, and cotyledon explants derived from 14-d-old seedlings of Albizia odoratissima were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of either 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) solely or in combination with 0.5 μM naphthalene-3-acetic acid (NAA). The percentage of shoot regeneration and the number of shoots regenerated varied significantly depending on the type of explants used, the concentration of plant growth regulators, and the orientation of explants on the culture medium. The best response in terms of the percentage of shoot regeneration was obtained from epicotyls cultured horizontally on MS medium supplemented with 5 μM BAP, whereas the highest number of shoots per responding explant was recorded on medium containing 2.5 μM BAP and 0.5 μM NAA. Successful rooting was achieved by placing the microshoots onto MS medium containing 25 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 24 h first, then transferring to the same medium without IBA. Of the various substrates tested, vermiculite was the best for plant acclimatization, as 75% of the plants survived and became established.     

Micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metrosideros excelsa</Emphasis>

Multiple shoots were induced on stem segments of an 8-y-old plant of Metrosideros excelsa Sol ex Gaertn. “Parnel”. Axillary shoots produced on uncontaminated explants were excised, segmented, and recultured in the same medium to increase the stock of shoot cultures. The Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, augmented with different concentrations of 2- isopenthenyladenine (2iP) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), either singly or in combinations, as potential medium for shoot multiplication by nodal segments was tested. In the following experiment, equal molar concentrations of four cytokinins [2iP, kinetin, zeatin, and N ⁶-benzyladenine (BA)] in combination with equal molar concentrations of three auxins [IAA, α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)] were tested for ability to induce axillary shoot development from single-node stem segments. The highest rate of axillary shoot proliferation was induced on MS agar medium supplemented with 1.96μM 2iP and 1.14μM IAA after 6 wk in culture. Different auxins (IAA, IBA, and NAA) were tested to determine the optimum conditions for in vitro rooting of microshoots. The best results were accomplished with IAA at 5.71μM (89% rooting) and with IBA at 2.85 or 5.71μM (86% and 86% rooting, respectively). Seventy and 90 percent of the microshoots were rooted ex vitro in bottom-heated bench (22 ± 2°C) after 2 and 4 wk, respectively. In vitro and ex vitro rooted plantlets were successfully established in soil.     

In vitro propagation of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Saussurea obvallata</Emphasis> (DC.) Edgew.—an endangered ethnoreligious medicinal herb of Himalaya

This is the first report of a micropropagation protocol for Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Edgew. (Asteraceae), a rare, threatened and near-endemic medicinal herb of the Indian Himalayan region. Multiple shoots were formed from epicotyle explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.0 microM kinetin and 0.25 microM alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid. A maximum of five shoots were obtained from one explant in a 75-day culture period. The effect of subsequent subcultures on shoot formation was also studied. After 100% in vitro rooting was obtained in half-strength MS supplemented with 2.5 microM indole-3-butyric acid, the plantlets were transferred to ex vitro conditions. Following a 15-day in vitro rooting period and 12 days of ex vitro acclimatization, 66.7% of the plantlets had established in the field. Application of this protocol has the potential to substantially reduce the pressure on natural populations.     

In vitro micropropagation of Lawsonia inermis (Lythraceae)

A successful protocol was developed for mass propagation of Lawsonia inermis Linn., an important medicinal plant. Multiple shoots were induced in apical and axillary meristems derived from mature explants of L. inermis on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), 0.25 mg/l Kinetin (Kn), 0.5 mg/l ascorbic acid and 3% (w/v) sucrose. The rate of multiplication was higher when the cultures were incubated under continuous light rather than the 14 hr photoperiod. Rooting was readily achieved upon transferring the microshoots onto MS basal semi-solid medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) after ten days of culture. Micropropagated plantlets were acclimatized and successfully grown in soil.     

Production of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde in roots of tissue culture raised and acclimatized plants of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn., an endangered shrub endemic to Southern India and evaluation of its performance vis-a-vis plants from natural habitat

Axillary buds obtained from field grown plants of D. hamiltonii were used to initiate multiple shoots on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) supplemented with 2 mg L(-1) 6-benzyl aminopurine (BA) and 0.5 mg L(-1) indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Profuse rooting was achieved when the actively growing shoots were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l(-1) indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Regenerated plants were grown successfully in the plains, in contrast to wild growth in high altitudes and rocky crevices of hilly regions. Roots of different sizes from one-year-old tissue culture raised field grown plants had the same profile of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde as that of wild plants. A maximum of 0.14% and 0.12% 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde was produced in roots of one year old tissue culture derived plants and greenhouse grown plants respectively.     

Clonal multiplication of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis through axillary bud culture

An efficient clonal multiplication system was developed for in vitro propagation of crocin — producing Gardenia jasminoides Ellis plants. Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP 1 mg l^–1) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA 1 mg l^–1) resulted in multiple shoot initiation at the rate of 21 shoots per explant in 60 d of culture. Transfer of the microshoots into liquid MS medium supplemented with BAP (5 mg l^–1) with two subcultures of 15 d duration in the same medium resulted in 400 ± 25 shoots per explant. Efficient rooting was achieved in MS medium supplemented with -naphthaleneacetic acid (5 mg l^–1). The in vitro raised plants were hardened in a greenhouse and transplanted to the field successfully. The method described will be useful for rapid multiplication of Gardenia for commercial exploitation.Abbreviations MS Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium - BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - Kn kinetin - 2ip 6-(,-dimethylallylamino)purine - NAA -naphthalene- acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid     

Plant regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> from cell suspension cultures

A method for plant regeneration in Robinia pseudoacacia L. from cell suspension culture was established. Non regenerative friable callus from hypocotyls and cotyledon explants from in vitro raised seedling induced on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.05 mg dm⁻³ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) was used for initiation of cell suspension cultures on same MS medium but without agar. Single cells were isolated after 3 d and the optimum cell density was 1–3 × 10⁴ cells per cm³ of the liquid MS medium. Plating efficiency was 29.6 % and callus formed within 4 weeks was subcultured and transferred to solid MS medium supplemented with 0.6 mg dm⁻³ benzyladenine (BA) along with 0.05 mg dm⁻³ α-naphthalene-1-acetic acid (NAA) for the induction of adventitious bud primordia. The shoots developed were isolated and re-cultured on MS medium containing 0.6 mg dm⁻³ BA. These microshoots after dipping in 1–2 cm³ of 10 mg dm⁻³ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for 24 h in dark were cultured on half strength solid MS medium supplemented with 0.05 % charcoal and showed 80–82 % rooting within 4 weeks.     

Phenolic Content of Microcuttings of Adult Chestnut along Rooting Induction

From the same adult 80-year-old tree of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) 2 types of material have been taken and micropropagated. This resulted in in vitro easy-to-root microshoots (basal shoot origin - BS), and hard-to-root microshoots (crown shoot origin - CR). In these shoots, the phenolic contents were analysed at 0, 2, 5 and 8 days after in vitro rooting induction by 2 minute-dipping into an indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution (4.9 mM) and subsequent culture in a hormone-free rooting medium. The variation of the phenolic content along the adventitious rooting process differs between CR and BS microshoots for tannin, flavonol and elagic acid concentrations, which could be related to their differential rooting capacity.     

Rapid clonal propagation of Saccharum officinarum L. Vars. CO-6907 and CO-86249 and to assess the genetic uniformity through molecular markers

Abstract

An efficient protocol was developed for in vitro clonal propagation of Saccharum officinarum Vars. CO-6907 and CO-86249 through axillary meristem culture. Maximum meristem elongation was achieved on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 mg/L kinetin (Kn) within 15 days of culture. Multiple shoots were induced from meristems on MS basal medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BA, 0.5 mg/L Kn, 0.25 mg/L 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 3% (w/v) sucrose. Addition of 0.1–0.25 mg/L gibberellic acid into the multiplication medium found the better shoot elongation. Repeated subculture on multiplication medium induces higher rate of shoot multiplication. The root induction from excised microshoots was achieved on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0–2.0 mg/L NAA or indole-3-butyric acid and 6% (w/v) sucrose. While either decreasing or increasing of sucrose concentration in the rooting medium, the percentage of rooting was reduced. Maximum percentage of rooting was achieved on medium having 2.0 mg/L NAA with 6% (w/v) sucrose. About 80% of micropropagated plantlets were hardened in the greenhouse and successfully established in the soil. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA marker was used to detect the variability among the micropropagated plants developed through in vitro. The results showed that there was no polymorphism among the micropropagated plants. This study will help for propagation of quality planting material of high-yielding variety of sugarcane for commercialization.     

Micropropagation of squill (Charybdis numidica) through nodule culture

A micropropagation protocol for squill (Charybdis numidica, Hyacinthaceae) was developed using nodule culture. Nodule formation on leaf sections was induced in liquid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 20 microM N6-benzylaminopurine (BA) under dark conditions. Nodules were cultured on semi-solid MS medium with factorial combinations of BA (0-40 microM) and alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0-10 microM) under continuous light. Shoot regeneration from nodules occurred at varying degrees on all media. The highest number of shoots was formed on medium containing 2.5 microM NAA and 20 microM BA, while the maximum number of regenerated bulblets per gram nodule was induced on culture medium supplemented with 2.5 microM NAA alone. Regenerated shoots were successfully rooted at approximately 92% on semi-solid MS medium supplemented with 10 microM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Plantlets could be hardened and grew well after transfer to the greenhouse. Chemical analyses showed consistent bufadienolide patterns from cloned plantlets and the mother plant.     

Micropropagation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cotoneaster wilsonii</Emphasis> Nakai—a rare endemic ornamental plant

A simple and efficient micropropagation system was developed for Cotoneaster wilsonii through node and shoot tip explants obtained from mature field-grown plants. Of the two explants, node explants were found to be the most effective for axillary shoot proliferation. The highest frequency of shoot induction was achieved when nodal explants were incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0.1 mg L⁻¹ α- naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) with an average of 34 shoots per explant. The microshoots were separated from the multiple shoots and subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 3% (w/v) sucrose and 0.8% (w/v) agar for further shoot growth. Maximum rooting was obtained on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The in vitro-grown plantlets were successfully acclimatized in a glasshouse with 98% of survival. High concentrations of TDZ (1.5–2.0 mg L⁻¹) and repeated subcultures resulted hyperhydric shoots. Supplementation of the culture medium with silicon significantly reduced the induction of hyperhydric shoots. Increasing silicon concentration significantly decreased malondialdehyde content of the regenerated shoots. Data indicate that addition of silicon to the culture medium can effectively control hyperhydricity.     

Biochemical and histological changes during in vitro rooting of microcuttings of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacopa monnieri</Emphasis> (L.) Wettst.

The present study was conducted to investigate the biochemical changes vis-à-vis histological changes during adventitious rooting of microcuttings of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. The rooting in these microcuttings was induced on basal MS medium and medium supplemented with different concentrations of indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Presence of lower auxin concentration (1.0 µM) in the medium enhanced rooting and significantly improved number of roots per shoot but maximum root length was observed on basal MS medium. Histological studies were conducted to identify different phases of rooting in these microcuttings. The root meristemoids with distinct polarity become visible after 3 days and mark the beginning of in vitro root initiation phase. It was followed by primordia elongation, root emergence and visible rooting on the 5th day of culture on medium supplemented with auxins. Biochemical studies were also conducted from basal portions of microcuttings cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 µM IBA and control (basal MS medium) from 0 to 7 days. Total carbohydrate content was lower during initial periods (up to day 1) and was found to increase during root initiation and primordia development, which reflects high energy demands for active cell divisions. A significantly higher level of phenols was recorded in microcuttings on medium supplemented with IBA. Polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase activities were also found to vary during different phases of rhizogenesis. Early phases were also marked with the lower activities of POX and IAAO. This study revealed significant role of enzymes, sugars and phenols during different phases of rooting.