Abstract
ABSTRACT Vernonia condensata Baker has been traditionally used in folk medicine for the treatment of several inflammatory and infectious processes. Overexploitation of this plant species has drastically reduced its population in its natural habitat (Cerrado). Therefore, tissue culture tools, such as somatic embryogenesis, can be used as an alternative method for rapid and large-scale plant regeneration. The objectives of this study were to induce callogenesis in Vernonia condensata from different types of explants and to evaluate the structural aspects of the development of pro-embryogenic masses of this species by means of histological analyses. The formation of calli was induced from leaf explants and internodal segments, which were inoculated in EME medium supplemented with 50 g L-1 sucrose, 0.5 g L-1 malt extract and 2.68 μM NAA, plus varying concentrations of BAP (0.00, 2.22, 4.44 or 8.88 μM). After 40 days, the following morphogenetic traits were evaluated: intensity of callus formation, intensity of oxidation, callus texture, and morphogenesis. The calli with embryogenic masses were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Both types of explants were responsive regarding callogenesis, with the BAP concentration of 4.44 μM promoting the formation of friable calli associated with a larger percentage of calli with embryogenic masses. Cells from leaf explants and internodal segments were able to dedifferentiate and change into embryonic structures.
Highlights
Vernonia condensata Baker, popularly known in Brazil as “alumã”, “figatil” or “necroton”, is a medicinal plant belonging to the family Asteraceae, widely distributed in the country, traditionally used in folk medicine for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fever, antibacterial and antiulcerogenic properties (Boeing et al, 2016; Thomas et al, 2016; Sharifi-Rad et al, 2018; Silva et al, 2018)
Due to the scarcity of studies related to the development of calli and somatic embryogenesis of Vernonia condensata, the objective of this work was to clarify for the first time cells of V. condensata with embryogenic potential from in vitro culture of calli, to better understand the structural events of the development of the pro-embryogenic masses formed, through anatomical analysis and scanning electron microscopy
The results of this work showed that both types of V. condensata explants were responsive to callogenesis, but the internodal segments presented greater capacity to produce friable calli and a higher percentage of calli with pro-embryogenic masses
Summary
Vernonia condensata Baker, popularly known in Brazil as “alumã”, “figatil” or “necroton”, is a medicinal plant belonging to the family Asteraceae, widely distributed in the country, traditionally used in folk medicine for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fever, antibacterial and antiulcerogenic properties (Boeing et al, 2016; Thomas et al, 2016; Sharifi-Rad et al, 2018; Silva et al, 2018). V. condensata is propagated asexually through cuttings (Lorenzi; Matos, 2008) Overexploitation of this plant species due to its phytochemical potential has drastically reduced the population in its natural habitat. It is important to conduct studies to promote sustainable management and develop alternative propagation methods, such as a regeneration system for rapid multiplication to produce elite plants. In this context, in vitro culture techniques, in particular somatic embryogenesis, a remarkable expression of cellular totipotency for clonal mass propagation and genetic improvement, especially of woody species that present a very long life cycle (Grzyb; Mikuła, 2019; Pais et al, 2019)
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