Micropropagation of the Mediterranean species Viburnum tinus

In vitro propagation of the Mediterranean species Viburnum tinus L. was established from an outdoor-grown shrub. Two standard macrosalt formulations (Margara N30K and Murashige and Skoog), a range of benzyladenine and sucrose concentrations were tested for their effect on shoot multiplication. The cytokinin concentration was the most important factor affecting shoot multiplication. The highest shoot multiplication rate was obtained from single-node explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 4.4 M benzyladenine. Cytokinin concentration and an interaction of macrosalts and benzyladenine influenced shoot length on the multiplication stage: best shoot growth was observed on MS medium containing 1.1 M benzyladenine. In addition, sucrose concentrations of 87.6–146.0 mM gave the highest multiplication rates and improved shoot growth. Following a shoot ellongation stage, single shoots were rooted on media containing naphtaleneacetic acid (1.3–5.4 M). Although enhanced in vitro rooting was obtained on media containing 5.4 M naphtaleneacetic acid, reducing the auxin concentration to 1.3 M during the in vitro rooting stage improved acclimatisation frequency and further plant growth in a horticultural substrate.     

Development of an L6 myoblast in vitro model of moniliformin toxicosis

L6 myoblasts were used as an in vitro model to investigate the role of moniliformin and its interaction with monensin in turkey knockdown syndrome and sudden death syndromes in poultry. Cell viability and microscopic and ultrastructural alterations noted in L6 myoblasts cultured in the presence of moniliformin (0.0–0.3 g/l) were compared to those observed in parallel cultures also containing one of the following compounds: selenium (0–0.004 ng/l), thiamine (0–0.3 g/l), or pyruvate (0–0.46 g/l). Marked dilation of the RER, membranous whorls, glycogen deposition, membrane-bound cytoplasmic inclusions and necrosis were observed in myoblasts exposed to 0.03/2-0.30 g moniliformin/l medium. Supplementation of medium with thiamine and pyruvate, or selenium, provided significant protection to cells exposed to 0.0–0.3 g/l or 0.0–0.15 g moniliformin/l, respectively. Dose-dependent differences in protein and ATP production were not detected. Myoblasts grown in medium containing 0–0.15 g moniliformin/l and 7.5–50.0 M A23187, beauvericin or monensin had degrees of cytotoxicity similar to parallel cultures receiving only an ionophore. L6 myoblasts were a useful model of moniliformin toxicosis. The findings of this study suggest cytotoxicity due to moniliformin in L6 myoblasts may be due in part to oxidative damage and altered pyruvate metabolism, and that moniliformin does not predispose myoblasts to ionophore toxicosis. This study supports the results of in vivo investigations in poultry that moniliformin and monensin do not act synergistically to induce knockdown or monensin toxicosis.     

In vitro micropropagation of Piper longum – an important medicinal plant

Efficient and rapid tissue culture systems were developed for Piper longum, an important medicinal plant, through shoot tip multiplication and direct regeneration. Multiple shoots were induced from shoot tips cultured on agar-based Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4.44–22.19 M benzyladenine (BA) and 4.64–13.9 M kinetin (K). Maximum number of shoots were induced with 8.9 M BA and 4.64 M K. Adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf segments was achieved on MS containing 3.6–22.19 M BA along with 3.31–12.4 M picloram (P). Shoot differentiation occurred directly from the leaf bases without intermediale callus formation. Maximum shoot buds were obtained on MS medium with 17.76 M BA and 8.28 M P. Elongated shoots were separated and rooted in MS supplemented with 2.46 M indole butyric acid (IBA). Plantlets, thus developed were established in soil.     

In vitro propagation of Asparagus maritimus – A rare Mediterranean salt-resistant species

Asparagus maritimus L. Miller is a rare species growing of the Mediterranean region and is morphologically similar to A. officinalis. In order to establish an efficient in vitro propagation protocol, explants were excised from spear segments and cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium containing 3% sucrose and various concentrations of growth regulators. The best shoot initiation (3–4 per explant) was achieved on a medium containing 0.88 M N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), 0.93 M kinetin, 1.07 M -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 3.90 M ancymidol. Shoot initiation could also be achieved without ancymidol but the shoots were thinner and longer. A very high shoot multiplication rate was achieved on media supplemented with 3% sucrose, 1.07 M NAA, 0.93 M kinetin, 0.44 M BA and various concentrations of ancymidol. The lowest concentration of ancymidol (0.39 M) significantly promoted the highest shoot multiplication rate (11.9 shoots/crown). For root formation, media were supplemented with 6% sucrose, 1.07 M NAA and various concentrations of ancymidol. Rooting frequency increased with higher ancymidol concentration up to 5.07 M (82.0% rooting). The number of ex vitro shoots formed was strongly correlated (r=0.66) with the length of roots formed in vitro, which was the highest at a 1.95 M ancymidol.     

In vitro propagation of Gentiana kurroo — an indigenous threatened plant of medicinal importance

Shoot multiplication of Gentiana kurroo Royle, a threatened medicinal plant species, was achieved in vitro using shoot tips and nodal segments as explants. Fifteen-fold shoot multiplication occurred every 6 weeks on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) containing 8.9 M benzyladenine and 1.1 M 1-naphthaleneacetic acid. Rooting was accomplished successfully in excised shoots grown on MS basal medium containing 6% sucrose.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IAA Indole-3-acetic acid - IBA Indole-3-butyric acid - MS Murashige and Skoog's medium - NAA 1-naphthaleneacetic acid     

Clonal propagation of Callistemon by tissue culture techniques

Callus development in Callistemon viminalis was readily achieved when axillary buds derived from nodal tissue were placed in a medium containing macro- and micro-nutrients, sucrose (0.06 M), inositol (300 M), nicotinic acid (20 M), pyridoxine hydrochloride (3 M), thiamine hydrochloride (2 M), riboflavin (10 M), cytokinins (5 M) and auxins (0.1 M). The presence of benzylaminopurine (5 M) and p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.1 M) promoted the most vigorous callus development and sprout formation. Rooting of nodal material was rare but occurred readily following the transference of sprouts developed on callus to a basal medium containing sucrose and salts. Root initiation was stimulated, however, by the presence of auxins. Chlorophenoxyacetic acid while stimulating root initiation repressed root growth. Indole butyric acid stimulated both root initiation and shoot growth at concentrations of 0.005 to 0.1 M. The treatment of choice for rooting and shoot growth was the addition of indole butyric acid at a concentration of 0.01 M.     

Callus growth and plant regeneration in diverse cultivars of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

The growth and differentiation of callus tissues derived from cotyledons of ten cultivars ofCucumis sativus L. were investigated. Cotyledonary explants from all ten cultivars formed callus tissue on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 5 M 6-benzylaminopurine. Fresh weight of the callus tissues averaged 1 to 8 g per flask after five weeks of culture. Shoot development was achieved in three cultivars, Hukchinju, Manchoonchoungjang and Seoul, on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 M -naphthaleneacetic acid and 5 M 6-benzylaminopurine. Reducing the 6-benzylaminopurine concentration to 0.01 M resulted in root formation on callus tissues and on shoots transferred to this medium. All cultivars gave the same response in tests of root formation, but shoot regeneration from callus culture of cucumber cotyledons was dependent on genotype with cultivar Manchoonchoungjang exhibiting the best shoot differentiation capability among the genotypes examined. Examination of mitotic metaphase from the regenerants revealed that all were tetraploid.     

Efficient plant regeneration protocol through callus for Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Edgew. (Asteraceae): effect of explant type, age and plant growth regulators

A callus induction and in vitro plantlet regeneration system for the endangered state flower of Uttaranchal (Saussurea obvallata) was optimized by studying the influence of explant type (root, hypocotyl, cotyledon and leaf), age and different concentrations of plant growth regulators. Explants from 10 to 15-day-old seedlings showed maximum callus induction. Callus formation and shoot differentiation was initiated on Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium containing 6-benzyladenine (BA) and -naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) in all explant types. The best results were obtained using leaf explants: 100% callusing was achieved in MS medium supplemented with 2.5 M BA and 1.0 M NAA, and 100% differentiation along with a multiplication rate of 12 shoots per explant with a combination of 5.0 M BA and 1.0 M NAA. However, the results reflected the existence of high inter-explant variability in response to growth regulators. In vitro rooting of shoots was achieved at an efficiency of 100% in one-half strength MS medium supplemented with 2.5 M indole-3-butyric acid. Application of this protocol has potential for mass multiplication of the target species in a limited time period.     

In vitro meristem cloning of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm.

Rapid multiplication of axillary meristems and direct shoot development occurred from nodal explants of mature Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. with 5.3 M NAA, 1.1 M IAA and 4.4 M BA in Murashige-Skoog medium. Repeated subcultures of the second generation shoot cultures into low cytokinin-auxin containing media (0.44–0.88 M BA+0.1 M NAA) yielded axillary microshoots in large numbers. Half-strength MS liquid medium with 4.9 M IBA, 5.5 M IAA and 5.3 M NAA for four days, half-strength semi-solid hormonefree MS medium with charcoal, and MS liquid medium without charcoal and hormones, in sequence, induced rooting of shoots in the dark. This system is suitable for the mass propagation of this difficult-to-root eucalypt.Abbreviations BA 6-benzyladenine - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA -indole-3-butyric acid - 2-iP isopentyl adenine - Kn kinetin - MS Murashige-Skoog - NAA -naphthalene acetic acid - PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone     

Optimisation of growing conditions for the apple rootstock M26 grown in RITA containers using temporary immersion principle

The use of bioreactors may provide an efficient and economic tool for mass clonal propagation of plants if technical problems can be solved. In this paper, we report the results of experiments aimed at optimising conditions for apple rootstock M26 grown in RITA containers using the temporary immersion principle. We tested different types and sizes of explants, different concentrations of plant growth regulators (BAP, kinetin and IBA) in the multiplication and elongation phases, and medium exchange during the shoot elongation period. The results show that the higher concentrations of cytokinins were required during the shoot multiplication phase, while the lower concentrations were better during the shoot elongation phase. Hyperhydricity was increased with increasing concentration in of cytokinins during both shoot multiplication and shoot elongation phases. The best shoot production in terms of shoot number and shoot quality was obtained using 4.4mol BAP and 0.5mol IBA during the shoot multiplication phase and 1.1mol BAP and 0.25mol IBA during the shoot elongation phase. Medium exchange twice during the shoot elongation phase resulted in higher shoot production compared with no exchange of the medium. However, it also resulted in increased hyperhydricity. Immersion frequency of 16 times per day gave a higher multiplication rate and longer shoots than 8 times per day. The explant size of 0.5cm or 1cm resulted in a significantly higher shoot production rate compared with that of 1.5cm, but shoot length and hyperhydricity were not affected by the explant size. Shoot cultures from the liquid media rooted normally in the RITA containers with more than 90% rooting and the rooted plantlets acclimatised well in the greenhouse.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> regeneration of the medicinal woody plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phellodendron amurense</Emphasis> Rupr. through excised leaves

Shoot organogenesis and plant establishment has been achieved for Phellodendron amurense Rupr. from excised leaf explants. Young leaf explants were collected from in vitro established shoot cultures and used for the induction of direct shoot regeneration, callus and subsequent differentiation into shoots on MS medium. Direct shoot regeneration was achieved by culturing 1 cm² sections of about 10-day-old leaves on MS medium enriched with 4.4 M BAP and 1.0 M NAA after 4 weeks of culture. The leaf explants produced callus from their cut margins within 3 weeks of incubation on medium supplemented with 2.0 M TDZ and 4.0 M 2,4-D or 4.0 M NAA. The maximum number of adventitious shoots was regenerated from the leaf-derived callus within 4 weeks of culture on MS medium containing 1.5 M BAP and 1.0 M NAA. The highest rate of shoot multiplication was achieved at the third subculture, and more than 65 shoots were produced per callus clump. For rooting, the in vitro proliferated and elongated shoots were excised into 2–4 cm long microcuttings, which were planted individually on a root-induction MS medium containing 2.0 M IBA. Within 3 weeks of transfer to the rooting medium, all the cultured microcuttings produced 2–6 roots. The in vitro regenerated plantlets were transferred to Kanuma soil, and the survival rate ex vitro was 90%.     

Micropropagation of Withania somnifera from germinating seeds and shoot tips

Shoot multiplication was achieved in vitro from shoot tips of aseptically germinated seedlings of Withania somnifera L. using low concentrations of 6-benzyladenine (BA), viz. 2.2, 4.4 and 8.9 M. Maximum number of shoots were obtained when 2.3 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or 2.5 M indolebutyric acid (IBA) was added to medium containing 4.4 M BA during initiation of shoot multiplication, but not when added later. Direct multiple shoot initiation was also obtained from germinating seeds in the presence of BA alone. Rooting was successful in excised shoots grown on growth regulator-free MS medium. Rooted shoots were successfully established in soil in a greenhouse.     

Plantlet regeneration from callus initiated from flower buds in the wild species Allium senescens var. minor

Callus regeneration was observed from flower buds of Allium senescens var. minor inoculated in BDS, MS or B5 medium supplemented with 4.4 M benzyladenine alone or in combination with 4.5 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-d), with 2,4-d and kinetin (4.5 M/4.6 M) or with 5.3 M naphthaleneacetic acid. Ovules enlarged initially but the embryogenic tissue degenerated as callus development progressed from the nectar regions of the petals. Shoot buds and leaf primordia developed from the meristematic protuberances that originated from the surface of the callus. BDS medium with 4.5 M 2,4-d and 13.3 M BA was most suitable for shoot multiplication. The regenerated shoots were rooted in respective liquid medium without any growth regulators and successfully transferred to soil with 90% survival rate.Abbreviations BA N⁶-benzyladenine - 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - NAA -naphthaleneacetic acid     

Uptake of sewage derived nitrogen by<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ulva rigida</Emphasis> (Chlorophyceae) in Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo,Patagonia, Argentine)

Uptake kinetics of nitrogen derived from sewage–seawater mixtures (2.5–20% v/v effluent) were determined in the laboratory for Ulva rigida (Chlorophyceae) native from Bahía Nueva (Golfo Nuevo, Patagonia, Argentine). In terms of nitrogen concentration, experimental enrichment levels varied between 53.7 and 362.3M of ammonium and between 0.77 and 6.21M of nitrate+nitrite. Uptake rates were fitted to the Michaelis–Menten equation, with the following kinetic parameters: ammonium: V_max = 591.2molg^–1h^–1, K _s=262.3M, nitrate+nitrite: V _max=12.9molg^–1h^–1, K _s=3.5M). Both nutrients were taken up simultaneously, but ammonium incorporation was faster in all cases. The results show a high capability of Ulva rigida to remove sewage-derived nitrogen from culture media. In the field, most of the nitrogen provided by the effluent would be tied up in algal biomass, supporting low nitrogen levels found at a short distance away from the source.     

Micropropagation of Cunila galioides,a popular medicinal plant of south Brazil

Axillary buds of field plants of Cunila galioides Benth. were used to evaluate the effect of growth regulators and culture media on the in vitro shoot proliferation and growing. The highest multiplication rate was obtained using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 8.8 M of benzyladenine. Repeated subcultures of shoot tips and single nodes at 4-week intervals for eight months on the above medium enabled mass multiplication of shoots without any evidence of decline. The best conditions for rooting were MS medium plus 0.5 to 2.5 M of indolebutyric acid. The rooted plants were successfully transferred to soil, exhibiting a normal development.     

Development of high frequency multiple shoot formation in Persian clover (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium resupinatum</Emphasis> L.)

An efficient and reliable micropropagation system for Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) was developed using different explants and media. Node, hypocotyl and cotyledonary node explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with combinations of either 6-benzyladenine (BA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or BA, Kinetin (KIN) and IBA. Direct multiple shoots developed within 6weeks in all explants in most media tested. The best shoot multiplication capacity was obtained from cotyledonary node explants on MS medium containing 7.1M BA and 1M IBA or 14.1M BA and 1M IBA. Elongated shoots were rooted on either MS medium alone or combination with different concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). High rooting was achieved in half strength MS medium containing 8M IBA.     

Shoot multiplication in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rauvolfia tetraphylla</Emphasis> L. using thidiazuron

The effect of thidiazuron (TDZ) was investigated on in vitro shoot proliferation from nodal explants of Rauvolfia tetraphylla. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing TDZ (0.5–10M) was effective in inducing shoot buds and maintaining high rates of shoot multiplication on hormone free medium. The highest shoot regeneration frequency (90%) and mean number (18.50 ± 1.25) of shoots per explant were achieved from nodal segments cultured on MS medium supplemented with 5M TDZ for 4 weeks prior to transfer to MS medium without TDZ for 8 weeks. The regenerated shoots rooted best on MS medium containing 0.5M indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Micropropagated plantlets were hardened to survive ex vitro conditions and were then established into soil.     

Rapid plant regeneration from callus cultures of Plumbago zeylanica

Rapid plant regeneration was achieved in callus cultures derived from leaf and stem explants of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. on MS basal medium supplemented with 4.44 M 6-BA, 1.42 M IAA and 3% (w/v) sucrose. The rate of shoot bud regeneration was positively correlated with the concentration of growth regulators in the nutrient media. The leaf explants were more responsive (82.3%) than the stem explants on medium containing 1.42M IAA in combination with 4.44 M BA. The rate of regeneration was found to maintain the same level for 12 months without loss of vigour. Rooting of the differentiated shoots was achieved in media having 0.57 M IAA with 2% (w/v) sucrose within 10 days of culture. Regenerated plantlets were transferred to soil which grew normally with a survival rate of 90%. This protocol may help in the conservation of the species and selection of variants that may be induced to widen the genetic base of the genus.     

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     

Rapid mass propagation of Tylophora indica Merrill via leaf callus culture

An efficient protocol has been developed for rapid mass propagation of Tylophora indica from leaf derived callus. Optimal callus was developed from leaf explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 10 2,4,5-T. Adventitious shoots were regenerated (85%) from the surface of the callus on MS medium supplemented with 5 M Kinetin. Individual elongated shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium containing 0.5 M IBA. Regenerated plantlets with well developed shoots and roots were successfully transferred to soil. The study demonstrated a dedifferentiated callogenic propagation route via adventitious shoot development in T. indica, which could be useful for large scale multiplication of this endangered medicinal plant.