Mannitol and thidiazuron improve in vitro shoot regeneration from spearmint and peppermint leaf disks

In vitro shoot organogenesis of peppermint and spearmint was obtained from leaf disks. Regeneration occurred within six weeks of placement in culture. Best results were obtained when explants were cultured for two weeks onto Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 300 mM mannitol, 2.0 μM 6-benzyladenine and 2.0 μM indole-3-butyric acid, and then transferred on a medium without mannitol and containing 0.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid, 9.0 μM 6-benzyladenine and 0.5 μM thidiazuron. Using these culture conditions, percentages of regeneration were 78% for peppermint and 49% for spearmint. Because of its efficiency, this leaf disk regeneration method could be a suitable tool for genetic transformation with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Physiological relationships between auxin, cytokinin, and a peptide growth factor, phytosulfokine-α, in stimulation of asparagus cell proliferation

The aim of this research was to determine whether the production of the mitogenic peptide, phytosulfokine-α (PSK-α), is affected by auxin and/or cytokinin, and whether the expression of the biological activity of PSK-α requires the presence of these plant hormones. We developed a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system that measures the amount of PSK-α using a polyclonal antibody. In suspension-cultured mesophyll cells of Asparagus officinalis L., the production of PSK-α was first detected after 48 h of culture, prior to the first cell division which was generally observed after 96 h of culture when both 1-napthaleneacetic acid and N⁶-benzyladenine were present in the medium. No significant amount of PSK-α was, however, produced when one of these plant hormones was eliminated from the medium. We also characterized the progression of the cell cycle triggered by PSK-α using a fluorescent dye and microdensitometry. Asparagus mesophyll cells immediately after isolation were arrested in G₀/G₁, and the cell cycle proceeded only when all three factors, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, N⁶-benzyladenine, and PSK-α, existed in the medium. These results show that the production and the expression of biological activity of PSK-α is closely correlated with the signal transduction pathway mediated by auxin and cytokinin. Received: 26 June 1998 / Accepted: 11 November 1998     

Micropropagation of chinese redbud (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cercis yunnanensis</Emphasis>) through axillary bud breaking and induction of adventitious shoots from leaf pieces

Summary Factors affecting in vitro shoot production and regeneration of Cercis yunnanensis Hu et Cheng were investigated by comparing various growth regulators and explant types. For optimum shoot production from axillary buds, Murashige and Skoog (MS) media containing 6-benzyladenine, either alone or in combination with a low concentration of thidiazuron, resulted in the greatest number of shoots formed per explant (>3). Explants (2 mm long) containing one axillary bud placed in directcontact with the medium yielded the most shoots per bud (1.6) when grown on growth regulator-free medium. Root formation on 70–80% of shoot explants was accomplished using either indole-3-butyric acid or α-naphthaleneacetic acid in the medium, with significantly more roots formed on explants possessing and apical bud than those without the bud. Direct shoot organogenesis from leaf explants occurred on MS medium containing 10–30 μM thidiazuron, with up to 42% of leaf explants producing shoots.     

Plantlet regeneration from mature embryos of Juniperus cedrus

A protocol is described for plantlet regeneration using embryonic explants of Juniperus cedrus Webb & Berth. An average of 6 adventitious buds were induced on whole excised embryos cultured for 15 days on Quoirin and LePoivre (QP) half-strength medium supplemented with 5 M N⁶-benzyladenine. For bud development, explants were transferred to phytohormone-free 1/2 QP medium. For shoot elongation, explants were cultured on 1/2 QP with 0.05% activated charcoal and 2% sucrose. Adventitious shoots were rooted successfully in peat-vermiculite-perlite (1:1:1) moistened with 1/4 QP containing 1% sucrose and 5 M -napthaleneacetic acid, pH 5.0. Axillary shoots elongated spontaneously in culture from leaf axils.Abbreviations AC activated charcoal - BA N⁶-benzyladenine - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid - QP Quoirin & LePoivre - SH Schenk & Hildebrandt     

A rapid protocol for in vitro micropropagation of Lepidium sativum linn. and enhancement in the yield of lepidine

Summary Lepidium sativum L., commonly known as ‘garden cress’ possesses variable proportions of benzylcyanide and benzylisothiocynate which contribute towards its activity against Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus pyogenes. The plant is also used as an antifertility and antiovulatory drug. Various juvenile (cotyledonary leaves, hypocotyl, radicle) as well as mature explants (leaf, shoot apex, nodal segments) callused on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) supplemented with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)+N⁶-benzyladenine (BA)+casein hydrolyzate (CH). Regeneration from hypocotyl callus and nodal segments occurred after NAA/BA was replaced with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)/kinetin (Kn). Lepidine was monitored at regular intervals. Significant amounts of lepidine was detected in in vitro-regenerated plants obtained from juvenile and mature explants. The yield, however, was variable, depending upon the source and type of explant used. High lepidine was detected in 8-wk-old hypocotyl callus. Amongst regenerants, maximum lepidine was obtained from the plantlets at the vegetative stage.     

Somatic embryogenesis from mature leaves of rose (Rosa sp.)

Several plant growth regulators (0.3–53.3 μm 6-benzyladenine, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, gibberellic acid, 3-indoleacetic acid, p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, kinetin and α-naphthylacetic acid), alone or in combination, and culture conditions were tested for their capacity to induce somatic embryogenesis from mature leaf and stem explants of rose (Rosa sp.) of four commercial rose cultivars (Baccara, Mercedes, Ronto and Soraya). Somatic embryos were only induced from mature leaf explants derived from Soraya on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 53.5 μm p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid and 4.6 μm kinetin, although satisfactory callus induction rates were obtained from all cultivars. After subculturing on the same medium, embryos at various developmental stages (globular, heart and torpedo shaped) were transferred for maturation onto a MS medium supplemented with 5.2 μm 6-benzyladenine and 5.7 μm 3-indoleacetic acid. Germination of mature embryos took place after subculturing them onto medium of the same composition. Plantlets regenerated from embryos and bearing three to four leaves were transferred to a greenhouse. Received: 4 February 1997 / Revision received: 28 August 1997 / Accepted: 1 October 1997     

Organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis from callus cultures in Muscari armeniacum Leichtl. ex Bak.

Summary Establishment of fast-growing, highly regenerable callus cultures was examined in Muscari armeniacum Leichtl. ex Bak. in order to develop an efficient genetic transformation system. High-frequency callus formation was obtained from leaf explants of cv. Blue Pearl on media containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram, PIC). Fast-growing, yellowish nodular callus lines and white friable callus lines containing a few somatic embryos were established on initiation medium supplemented with 4.5 μM 2,4-D and with 54 μM NAA, respectively. The yellowish nodular calluses vigorously produced shoot buds after transfer to media containing 0.44–44 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA), whereas the white friable calluses produced numerous somatic embryos upon transfer to plant growth regulator-free (PGR-F) medium. Histological observation of shoot buds and somatic embryos indicated that the former consisted of an apparent shoot meristem and several leaf primordia, and the latter had two distinct meristematic regions, corresponding to shoot and root meristems. Both shoot buds and somatic embryos developed into complete plantlets on PGR-F medium. Regenerated plants showed no observable morphological alterations. High proliferation and regeneration ability of these calluses, were maintained for over 2 yr.     

Somatic embryogenesis,organogenesis, and regeneration from leaf callus culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Decalepis hamiltonii</Emphasis> Wight &; Arn., an endangered shrub

Summary A novel protocol has been developed for inducing somatic embryogenesis from leaf cultures of Decalepis hamiltonii. Callus was obtained from leaf sections in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)+N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)+BA. Nodular embryogenic callus developed from the cut end of explants on media containing 2,4-D and BA, whereas compact callus developed on media containing NAA and BA. Upon subsequent transfer of explants with primary callus onto MS media containing zeatin and/or gibberellic acid (GA₃) and BA, treatment with zeatin (13.68μM) and BA (10.65 μM) resulted in the induction of the highest number of somatic embryos directly from nodular tissue. The maturation of embryos took place along with the induction on the same medium. Embryogenic calluses with somatic embryos were subcultured onto MS basal medium supplemented with 4.56μM zeatin+10.65 μM BA. After 4wk, more extensive differentiation of somatic embryos was observed. The mature embryos developed into complete plantlets on growth regulator-free MS medium. A distinct feature of this study is the induction of somatic embryogenesis from leaf explants of Decalepis hamiltonii, which has not been reported previously. By using this protocol, complete plantlets could be regenerated through indirect somatic embryogenesis or organogenesis from leaf explants in 12–16 wk.     

Leaf explant response in in vitro culture of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.)

For centuries Hypericum perforatum has been used in natural medicine. In the last decades, it has also attracted the attention of pharmaceutical industry due to its promising anti-depressant properties. The important factor in pharmaceutical application of plant material is its stable content of active compounds. Such stability requires standardized conditions of growth, e.g. an in vitro culture. Our aim was to establish a medium allowing for an effective regeneration of shoots from the standardized leaf explants in in vitro conditions. Cultures of the leaf explants carried out in darkness, on Murashige and Skoog agar medium, supplemented with auxins (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2-metoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid, α-naphtaleneacetic acid, indole-3-acetic acid) and cytokinins (kinetin, N⁶-(benzyl)adenine, thidiazuron) resulted in callus formation. The callus produced roots on media containing indole-3-acetic acid or α-naphtaleneacetic acid alone. On media supplemented with auxins and cytokinins, indirect shoot organogenesis was also observed. The most efficient shoot formation was observed with 2.85 μM of indole-3-acetic acid and 4.44 μM of benzyladenine. Regenerated shoots were rooted on Murashige and Skoog without plant growth regulators medium or on a medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid. From a single leaf explant (one fifth of the leaf) after a month of the culture, 35 regenerated shoots were obtained (allowing for the formation of about 180 vegetative shoots per leaf). Successful multiplication of shoots from a standardized explant makes it possible to obtain a great quantity of uniform plant material for biotechnological purposes.     

In vitro plant regeneration from leaf explants of Ophiorrhiza japonica

An efficient in vitro plant regeneration system from leaves of Ophiorrhiza japonica Blume was established for the first time. Callus formation rate was more than 90.4 % from leaf segments on Murashige and Skoog (MS) supplemented with either α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) alone or in combination with 6-benzyladenine (BA). The highest shoot regeneration (78.9 %) was achieved on MS medium containing 2.0 mg dm⁻³ BA and 0.2 mg dm⁻³ NAA, with an average of 9.4 shoots developed per leaf segment. Shoot regeneration was also improved when the leaf explants were cultured in MS basal medium supplemented with 0.5 % (m/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The leaf explants from seedlings with age of about 18–27 d showed the highest shoot regeneration. The regenerated shoots were rooted on half-strength basal MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg dm⁻³ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), which averagely produced 24.8 roots per shoot. The plantlets were transferred to soil, where 100 % survived after 1 month of acclimatization.     

Tiba inhibition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> organogenesis in excised tobacco leaf explants

Summary Triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), an anti-auxin, was found to inhibit both shoot and root formation in cultured excised leaf explants of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). The shoot formation (SF) medium used required only exogenous cytokinin (N⁶-benzyladenine) and the root formation (RF) medium required both auxin (indole-3-butyric acid) and cytokinin (kinetin). By transferring the explants from SF or RF media to SF or RF media with TIBA (4.0×10⁻⁵ M), respectively or vice versa, at different times in culture, it was found that TIBA inhibition was at the time of meristemoid formation and after determination of organogenesis. This indicates that TIBA interfered with endogenous auxin involvement in organized cell division.     

In vitro clonal propagation of an aromatic medicinal herb Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) by axillary shoot proliferation

Summary An efficient protocol for in vitro propagation of an aromatic and medicinal herb Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) through axillary shoot proliferation from nodal explants, collected from field-grown plants, is described. High frequency bud break and maximum number of axillary shoot formation was induced in the nodal explants on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) containing N⁶-benzyladenine (BA). The nodal explants required the presence of BA at a higher concentration (1.0 mg·l⁻¹, 4.4 μM) at the initial stage of bud break; however, further growth and proliferation required transfer to a medium containing BA at a relatively low concentration (0.25 mg·gl⁻¹, 1.1 μM). Gibberellic (GA₃) at 0.4 mg·l⁻¹ (1.2 μM) added to the medium along with BA (1.0 mg·l⁻¹, 4.4 μM) markedly enhanced the frequency of bud break. The shoot clumps that were maintained on the proliferating medium for longer durations, developed inflorescences and flowered in vitro. The shoots formed in vitro were rooted on half-strength MS supplemented with 1.0 mg·l⁻¹ (5.0 μM) indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Rooted plantlets were successfully acclimated in vermi-compost inside a growth chamber and eventually established in soil. All regenerated plants were identical to the donor plants with respect to vegetative and floral morphology.     

Regeneration of plants from leaflet explants of tissue culture raised safed siris (Albizia procera)

Shoot bud regeneration was obtained from isolated leaflets of Albizia procera cultured on MS medium with various concentrations of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest numbers of adventitious buds were obtained on MS medium supplemented with 10 μM BA and 1 μM NAA. The replacement of 7 g l-1 Difco bacto agar with 2.6 g l-1 Phytagel in the medium enhanced adventitious bud regeneration. Further, addition of 15 μM silver nitrate promoted callus-free shoot regeneration from leaf explants. The regenerated shoot buds were elongated on MS medium containing 0.01 μM BA and 1 μM NAA. Rooting was obtained on modified MS medium supplemented with 2 μM IBA. To our knowledge this is the first report of direct regeneration of shoots from leaflet explants in A. procera, and should help facilitate genetic transformation in this species. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf and petiole explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Campanula punctata</Emphasis> Lam. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">rubriflora</Emphasis> Makino

A simple and efficient protocol was developed for somatic embryogenesis from leaf and petiole explants of Campanula punctata Lam. var. rubriflora Makino. Somatic embryos (SE) were obtained with greater frequency from petiole explants than from leaf explants when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.0 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA). On this medium, a mean number of 19.5 and 31.2 SE were developed per leaf and petiole explants, respectively. Embryos were induced both light and dark conditions but culturing the explants 2 weeks in the dark followed by 3 weeks under light resulted in high frequency of embryo formation. Globular embryos germinated best on MS medium supplemented with 0.3% (w/v) activated charcoal (AC) and 1.0 mg L⁻¹ GA₃. The germinated plantlets grew further on MS medium containing 0.3% AC. Plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse with 94% survival rate. This is the first report on induction of somatic embryogenesis in this genus and also has implications for genetic transformation, and mass clonal propagation.     

Effects of low nitrogen medium on endogenous changes in ethylene, auxins, and cytokinins in in vitro shoot formation from rhizomes of Cymbidium kanran

Summary Shoot formation from rhizome explants of Cymbidium kanran was promoted on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium: (1) with 1 mgl⁻¹ (4.4μM) 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.1 mgl⁻¹ (0.54μM) α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA); (2) with ethylene inhibitor (silver nitrate, AgNO₃); or (3) by reducing ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) and potassium nitrate (KNO₃) to 25 and 50%, respectively, of their original concentrations. Shoot formation by BA and NAA was strongly inhibited with the application of ethephon, an ethylene releaser. The ethylene production from the rhizome explants was reduced 30–55% on low nitrogen medium after 1–3 mo. of culture and 52% on BA and NAA medium after 1 mo. of culture compared with explants on standard MS medium. No difference in endogenous auxin (indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) and cytokinin (isopentenyl adenosine, iPA) contents in the rhizomes was found between the treatments. Low ethylene levels were correlated with higher frequency of shoot formation from the rhizomes.     

Shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis from leaf and shoot explants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ochna integerrima</Emphasis> (Lour)

Ochna integerrima is a medicinal and ornamental plant in Southeastern Asia. It has been listed as a rare and endangered species in China. Here we studied the effects of plant growth regulators and their concentrations on the induction of somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis from leaf and shoot explants of O. integerrima for the first time. Cytokinins played a crucial role in somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis. Among them, a higher concentration of thidiazuron (10.0–15.0 μM TDZ) could induce both somatic embryogenesis and adventitious shoot formation whereas low concentrations of TDZ (5.0 μM) could only induce adventitious shoots. However, 6-benzyladenine (BA at 5–15 μM) could only induce adventitious shoots. Shoot explants induced more adventitious shoots and somatic embryos than leaf explants when cultured on medium with the same concentration (5–15 μM) of TDZ or 15 μM BA. Medium containing 0.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 8 μM indole-3-butyric acid and 0.1% activated charcoal could induce adventitious roots within 1 month. An efficient mass propagation and regeneration system has been established.     

Micropropagation of Indian wild strawberry

An efficient method of micropropagation based on an increased percentage survival of explants and reduced phenol-induced browning in wild strawberry has been developed. Serial transfer of nodal explants was carried out at 24-, 48- and 96-h intervals. Nodal segments cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (4.0 μM) and α-naphthalene acetic acid (0.1 μM) gave the best (94.4%) explant establishment and shoot number (22.3) per explant. Of the cytokinins tested, 6-benzyladenine was found more effective than kinetin and N⁶-(γ,γ dimethylallyamino) purine. Excised shoots rooted on half-strength agar-gelled medium with 1.0 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid. Rooted shoots with fully expanded leaves acclimatized successfully and about 70% of plantlets survived ex vitro. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Callus formation and plant regeneration in various <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lilium</Emphasis> species and cultivars

Summary In researching the application of genetic transformation to lily breeding, callus formation from cultured explants and plant regeneration from induced calluses were examined in 33 Lilium genotypes, 21 species, three Asiatic hybrids, two LA hybrids, two Longiflorum hybrids, three Oriental hybrids, and two Trumpet hybrids. Seed, bulb scale, leaf, or filament explants were placed on a medium containing 4.1 μM 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram; PIC) and cultured in the dark. After 2 mo., callus formation was observed in 30 genotypes, and a formation frequency of more than 50% was obtained in 24 genotypes. Bulb scale and filament explants showed great ability to form calluses, whereas seeds had poor ability. Most of the induced calluses were yellow and had a nodular appearance. When subcultured onto the same fresh medium, twofold or more increases in callus mass were obtained in 1 mo. for 15 genotypes. Callus lines showing sustained growth 1 yr after the initiation of subculture were examined for their ability to produce shoots on a medium without plant growth regulators (PGRs) and a medium containing 22 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA). Shoot regeneration was observed in all genotypes examined, and a regeneration frequency of over 80% was obtained in 20 genotypes. Initial explants used for callus induction and callus type (nodular or friable) had no effect on shoot regeneration. Most of the regenerated shoots developed into complete plantlets following their transfer to a PGR-free medium.     

Thidiazuron-induced high-frequency shoot organogenesis from leaf-derived callus of ia medicinal climber, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tylophora Indica</Emphasis> (Burm. F.) merrill

Summary Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill is a threatened medicinal climber distributed in the forests of northern and peninsular India. An efficient and reproducible protocol for high-frequency callus regeneration from immature leaf explants of T. indica was developed. Organogenic callus formation from immature leaf pieces was obtained by using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 7 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1.5 μM 6-benzyladenine. On this medium 92% explants produced callus. The optimal hormone combination for plantlet regeneration was 8 μM thidiazuron, at which shoot regeneration was obtained from 100% of the cultures, with an average of 66.7 shoots per culture. Histological studies of the regenerative callus revealed that shoot buds were originated from the outermost regions. For root formation, half-strength MS medium supplemented with 3 μM indole-3-butyric acid was used. Plants were transferred to soil, where 92% survived after 3 mo. of acclimatization.     

In vitro regeneration of Trifolium glomeratum

In vitro regeneration of Trifolium glomeratum, a leguminous forage species, was attempted through leaf, petiole, cotyledon, hypocotyl, collar and root explants and two media combinations. Root and collar explants showed no callus induction. Medium with 0.05 mg dm⁻³ α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.10 mg dm⁻³ N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) was more effective for hypocotyl explant whereas cotyledon and petiole explant were more responsive to 5.0 mg dm⁻³ NAA and 1.0 mg dm⁻³ BA. Friable, green calli obtained from petiole explant on this medium showed organogenetic potential. Modified root-inducing medium having 0.21 mg dm⁻³ indole-3-acetic acid and 2.5 % sucrose was successful for root induction and plantlets were successfully transferred to field after hardening and Rhizobium inoculation.