Effect of sucrose on physiological and biochemical changes of proliferated shoots of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Ex Wendl in temporary immersion

Abstract

Tissue culture systems have contributed to the massive propagation of bamboos. However, micro-propagated plants show a low percentage of rooting and ex vitro survival due to anatomical and physiological anomalies induced by in vitro factors. This study aims to determine the effect of sucrose on physiological and biochemical changes in Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Ex Wendl shoots cultured in a temporary immersion system and in plantlets growing under greenhouse conditions. For this purpose, two concentrations of sucrose (20 and 30 g L−1) and a control treatment (sucrose-free medium) were used in a rooting culture medium. Our data revealed that the absence of sucrose in the culture medium improved the morpho-physiological, biochemical and anatomical development of the shoots. However, a high sucrose concentration decreased the total chlorophyll content and leaf area in shoots. Additionally, the hydrogen peroxide content and malondialdehyde increased in shoots cultured with 30 g L−1 of sucrose. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy revealed that leaves of shoots which grow on medium containing 30 g L−1 sucrose displayed anatomical changes in the stomata of plants, whereas those from sucrose-free medium exhibited normal structural development. Finally, shoots cultured without sucrose showed a high survival rate and allowed a better adaptation of plantlets in the greenhouse. The temporary immersion systems combined with culture medium without sucrose offer new prospects for improving the physiology and biochemistry of plantlets during in vitro to ex vitro transition.