Acclimatization and leaf anatomy of micropropagated fig plantlets

Chrystiane Fráguas Chirinéa,Alba Regina Pereira,Aparecida Gomes de Araujo,Moacir Pasqual,Evaristo Mauro de Castro

doi:10.1590/s0100-29452012000400027

Chrystiane Fráguas Chirinéa, Alba Regina Pereira + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-29452012000400027

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Abstract

The survival of micropropagated plants during and after acclimatization is a limiting process to plant establishment. There is little information on how the anatomy of vegetative organs of Ficus carica can be affected by culture conditions and acclimatization. The present research aimed to study the effects of time on culture medium and substrates during the acclimatization of fig tree plantlets produced in vitro, characterizing some leaf anatomy aspects of plantlets cultured in vitro and of fig trees produced in field. Plantlets previously multiplied in vitro were separated and transferred into Wood Plant Medium (WPM) where they were kept for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Different substrates were tested and studies on leaf anatomy were performed in order to compare among plantlets grown in vitro, plantlets under 20, 40 and 60 days of acclimatization, and field grown plants. Keeping plantlets for 30 days in WPM allowed better development in Plantmax during acclimatization. Field grown plants presented higher number of stomata, greater epicuticular wax thickness and greater leaf tissue production compared to in vitro ones. The leaf tissues of in vitro plantlets show little differentiation and have great stomata number compared with acclimatized plants, which reduce the number of stomata during the acclimatization process.

Highlights

Both greenhouse and field environments have lower relative humidity, high light intensity, and septic conditions that are stressful to the micropropagated plants compared to in vitro conditions
The present research aimed to study the effects of time on culture medium and substrates during the acclimatization of fig tree plantlets produced in vitro, characterizing some leaf anatomy aspects of plantlets cultured in vitro and of fig trees produced in field
Plantlets transferred immediately from culture medium (0 days in PGR-free Wood Plant Medium (WPM)) to acclimatization under greenhouse conditions did not survive in any substrate

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Both greenhouse and field environments have lower relative humidity, high light intensity, and septic conditions that are stressful to the micropropagated plants compared to in vitro conditions. Most species grown in vitro, including the fig tree, require an acclimatization process before transferring them to the greenhouse as well as to the field. This practice ensures the high survival rate and vigorous growth of in vitro plantlets when transferred to soil. Researchers are successful in improving the survival index of in vitro fig plantlets during acclimatization. A 90-95% survival rate was obtained for fig plantlets (POSPÍŠILOVÁ et al, 1999; HAZARIKA, 2003). The present research aimed to study the effects of time on culture medium and substrates during the acclimatization of fig tree plantlets produced in vitro, characterizing some leaf anatomy aspects of plantlets cultured in vitro and of fig trees produced in field

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS