Abstract
In the present study, the applicability of four wide-spectrum light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting warm light (AP67, AP673L, G2, and NS1) was determined for the micropropagation of five popular ornamental plant species: Chrysanthemum × grandiflorum, Gerbera jamesonii, Heuchera × hybrida, Ficus benjamina, and Lamprocapnos spectabilis. Plantlets were grown in a growth room with a 16-h photoperiod. The photosynthetic photon flux density was set at 62–65 μmol m−2 s−1. The composition of the media and subculture timing were adjusted to the needs of each species tested. The results were compared to the cool daylight-emitting fluorescent (FL) control (TLD 36W/54). In most of the species studied (except for F. benjamina), the highest propagation ratios, or ratios similar to the FL control, were observed under the red- and far-red-abundant G2 LEDs. NS1 spectrum (with the highest proportion of blue and green light) was also efficient for G. jamesonii and L. spectabilis, and it provided a similar propagation ratio as the FL control. Light quality affected shoot length, number of leaves, callus regeneration, and the biosynthesis of chlorophyll. This influence, however, was species-dependent. Lighting conditions did not affect the dry matter and rooting in most of the species tested, except for G. jamesonii. The substitution of FLs with G2 LEDs can result in a 50% reduction of annual electricity costs, while the application of NS1 lamps can generate savings of up to 75%. In conclusion, the G2 LED lighting system seemed to be the most suitable in terms of propagation efficiency, plantlet quality, and cost reduction.
Highlights
Micropropagation is an efficient technique for mass production of ornamental and medicinal plants, some woody species (such as Musa sapientum L., Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, Hevea brasiliensis Muli
Plant material Five popular ornamental plant species were used in the experiment, which included Chrysanthemum × grandiflorum ‘Polka,’ Ficus benjamina ‘Natasha,’ Gerbera jamesonii ‘Suri,’ Heuchera × hybrida ‘Florists Choice,’ and Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Gold Heart.’
The individual plant species, 0.5–1.0-cm-long single-nodes for C. grandiflorum and L. spectabilis, 1-cm single-rosettes for G. jamesonii and H. hybrida, and 3-cm whole single-shoots for F. benjamina
Summary
Micropropagation is an efficient technique for mass production of ornamental and medicinal plants, some woody species (such as Musa sapientum L., Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, Hevea brasiliensis Muli. L.) (Dickson et al 2011; Kumar and Reddy 2011; Zhang et al 2012; Baghel and Bansal 2015) For this purpose, explants are cultured on synthetic media in growth rooms or phytotrons, and in controlled environmental conditions. Explants are cultured on synthetic media in growth rooms or phytotrons, and in controlled environmental conditions Among numerous factors such as medium composition, gas exchange in the culture vessel, ambient temperature, and explant characteristics, light is one of the most important parameters for successful in vitro plant production. Even though plants kept under in vitro conditions are usually mixotrophic, and their photosynthesis efficiency is limited (the carbon source is supplied in the form of sugar from the medium), light still has a key influence on genes and enzymes activity, and the growth of explants (Lin et al 2011; Azmi et al 2016; Manivannan et al 2017). Some recent studies showed that lighting conditions have a significant shift on plant primary and secondary metabolism at the genetic level, such as the kinetics of chlorophyll accumulation and MILER ET AL
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