Distinguishing the effects of light and temperature variations on the growth, development, multiplication potential and ex vitro survival rates of in vitro cassava

Dissemination of cassava tissue culture plantlets is difficult in the arid tropics due to low eux vitro survival rates. Increased in vitro light intensity has been reported to induce high ex vitro survival rates. The results from earlier experiments suggested that it would be worthwhile to analyse the separate effects of in vitro light and of temperature on the in vitro growth pattern as well as differentiate its relation to ex vitro survival. Accordingly, analysis of a range of in vitro light intensities from 0 to 369 μmol^?1 m^?2 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was conducted both with and without fans to control the heat. Temperature proved stable at low PPFD levels but increased above 204 μmol s^?1 m^?2 when no fans were used. Increased PPFD levels induced larger fresh and dry masses as well as stem thickness. PPFD levels affected the developmental index (senescent leaf numbers) in vitro when it rose above 204 μmol s^?1 m^?2 PPFD. Raised temperature ranges increased the multiplication index (node numbers) in vitro and ex vitro. It increased root number and leaf development (lobe anatomy). As in vitro temperatures of up to 40°C improve multiplication rates and PPFD levels above 101 μmol s^?1 m^?2 were detrimental for ex vitro survival (as low as 60%), it is suggested that simpler and less costly laboratories with low light levels and a wide range of temperature tolerance could be successfully established in the tropics for in vitro cleaning and rapidly multiplying crops like cassava.     

不同光周期条件下新铁炮百合生理指标的对比研究

在长、短两种光周期条件下对新铁炮百合的三种生理指标进行了测定。结果表明:新铁炮百合上、中部叶片的生理活动与植株生长发育状态的关系较为紧密;顶芽形态分化初期,上、中部叶片可溶性糖和淀粉含量降至较低的水平,而总氮含量则升至较高水平;此外,生殖生长状态下,3部分叶片各自C/N值均高于营养生长状态下其各自C/N值。     

In vitro storage of cedar shoot cultures under minimal growth conditions

We developed procedures for slow-growth storage of Cedrus atlantica and Cedrus libani microcuttings of juvenile and adult origin, noting factors favouring the extension of subculture intervals. Microcuttings could be stored effectively up to 6 months at 4°C and reduced light intensity, provided that they were grown on a diluted modified MS medium. The addition of 6% mannitol to the storage media affected negatively survival and multiplication capacity of the cultures. The slow-growth storage conditions used in our experiments did not induce remarkable effects on both RAPD variability and average DNA methylation in the species.     

In vitro culture of immature M. truncatula grains under conditions permitting embryo development comparable to that observed in vivo

Working with the model legume species Medicago truncatula, we have developed an in vitro strategy for the culture of immature embryos that permits their development in a way comparable to that observed in planta. Thus, seeds (8 and 12 days after pollination, DAP) and 12 DAP embryos were harvested and cultured on a basal salts medium with 130 g/L added sucrose, and with or without a nitrogen source. With an exogenous nitrogen supply, both 12 DAP seeds and embryos developed, with storage protein synthesis comparable to that observed in vivo as revealed by two-dimensional gel electrophoretic profiles. Conversely, in the absence of added nitrogen, seeds and embryos responded differently; with entire seeds there was a remobilisation of endogenous nitrogen during the initial stages of embryo development from tissues surrounding the embryo, thereby ensuring initial storage protein accumulation, whereas isolated embryos rapidly ceased synthesizing de novo proteins, and their development appeared arrested, presumably reflecting a shortage of nitrogen. This system is therefore useful for investigating the embryo's response to nitrogen.