Biofertlizer Lumbrical improves the growth and ex vitro acclimatization of micropropagated pear plants

Abstract

In vitro micropropagation of plants is highly useful for obtaining large quantities of planting material with valuable economic qualities. However, plantlets grow in vitro in a specific environment and the adaptation after the transfer to ex vitro conditions is difficult. Therefore, the acclimatization is a key step, which mostly determines the success of micropropagation. The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of the biofertlizer Lumbrical on ex vitro acclimatization of micropropagated pear rootstock OHF 333 (Pyrus communis L.). Micropropagated and rooted plantlets were potted in peat and perlite (2:1) mixture with or without Lumbrical. They were grown in a growth chamber at a temperature of 22±2 °C and photoperiod of 16/8 hours supplied by cool-white fluorescent lamps (150 µmol m-2 s-1 Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density, PPFD). The plants were covered with transparent foil to maintain the high humidity, and ten days later, the humidity was gradually decreased. Biometric parameters, anatomic-morphological analyses, net photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll a fluorescence (JIP test) were measured 21 days after transplanting the plants to ex vitro conditions. The obtained results showed that the plants, acclimatized ex vitro in the substrate with Lumbrical, presented better growth (stem length, number of leaves, leaf area and fresh mass) and photosynthetic characteristics as compared to the control plants. This biostimulator could also be used to improve acclimatization in other woody species