Morpho-Biological and Cytological Characterization of Tomato Roots (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Rekordsmen) Regenerated under NaCl Salinity in vitro

Abstract

A comparative analysis of tomato roots regenerated in vitro on media supplemented with different NaCl concentrations (0–250 mM) has been carried out. A morphogenetic study performed at the organ level has determined rhizogenesis-inhibiting NaCl concentrations, while the morphometric analysis of regenerated roots in juvenile seedlings has registered such characteristics as their number, length, and fresh/dry weight. A cytological study has revealed some tissue disorders, such as changes in the vacuolization of root cap cells and root cortex cells (RCC) under salinity conditions. At some NaCl concentrations, significant changes in the cells of these tissues have been observed in relation to such parameters as the root cap length (50–100 and 250 mM NaCl), the number of root cap layers (50, 75, 150–250 mМ NaCl), the area of central cylinder cells (CCCs, 75–150 and 250 mM NaCl), the RCC area (100–200 mM NaCl), and the nucleolus to nucleus ratio (25, 50, and 200 mM NaCl). Using cytophotometry, we have shown there to be an increase in the number of interphase cells of the root meristem in the G2 phase with a simultaneous decrease of this parameter in the G1 phase. Immunofluorescent labeling has revealed various disorganizations in the alpha-tubulin cytoskeleton of interphase root meristem cells. Using transmission electron microscopy, we have revealed structural changes in plastids of root cap cells, RCC, and CCC, as well as changes in the organization of a nuclear compartment in RCC occurred in the presence of 150 mM NaCl. The studied characteristics can be used for a comparative evaluation of tomato genotypes under salinity at different levels of their organization. The proposed approach can be also used for crops that have no difficulties with induced rhizogenesis in vitro.