Thidiazuron-induced somatic embryogenesis and changes of antioxidant properties in tissue cultures of half-high blueberry plants

Amrita Ghosh,Samir C Debnath,Abir U Igamberdiev

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-35233-6

Abstract

An efficient protocol of somatic embryogenesis (SE) has been developed for the first time in four half-high blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. × V. angustifolium Ait.) cultivars. Thidiazuron (TDZ), a plant growth regulator with potential activities for shoot regeneration and shoot proliferation, was found most effective for somatic embryo formation when added to a nutrient medium at high concentration (9 µM). Although TDZ was also best for embryo germination at low concentration (2.3 µM), it was followed by zeatin at 4.6 µM for the same. Plantlets developed from SE were removed from the nutrient medium and transferred on a peat: perlite medium where 100% survival rate was acquired following the acclimatization process in a greenhouse. The concentrations of total phenolic and flavonoid contents were higher in greenhouse-grown conventionally cutting-propagated donor mother plants than those of respective SE plants for ‘St. Cloud’, ‘Patriot’ and ‘Northblue’ but not for ‘Chippewa’. The effect of propagation method and/or the older age of donor mother plants were clearly visible exclusively as the 15-year-old donor plants showed higher level of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity than the eight-weeks-old SE plants in all four cultivars.

Highlights

Blueberry is a health-promoting small fruit crop, belonging to the genus Vaccinium L.[1]
The success of somatic embryogenesis (SE) depends on explant types and the culture media containing an optimum plant growth regulator (PGR) regime
Investigation of the effects of embryogenesis on antioxidant properties in tissue culture plants compared to their respective donor plants has not been reported before in small fruit crops

Summary

Introduction

Blueberry is a health-promoting small fruit crop, belonging to the genus Vaccinium L. (family: Ericaceae)[1]. The present study aimed at whether somatic embryos can be regenerated in vitro, and the plantlet formation is possible from four half-high blueberry cultivars, in a TDZ containing medium. In vitro-derived plants frequently show a phenotypic variation known as somaclonal variation[20] This variation in tissue culture plants from their respective donor plants during the micropropagation is of significant important for commercial propagation and germplasm conservation[21]. Investigation of the effects of embryogenesis on antioxidant properties in tissue culture plants compared to their respective donor plants has not been reported before in small fruit crops. This is of significant importance to establish this regeneration pathway as a reliable option of commercial blueberry production

Methods

Results

Conclusion