Longer Shoots Research Articles

Cultivation of Siberian Motherwort Plants (Leonurus sibiricus L.) in In Vitro Culture

In this study, an attempt was made to micropropagate the Siberian motherwort (Leonurus sibiricus L.) in in vitro cultures. The aim of this study was to compare methods of sterilization of seeds, which served as a source of initial explants to induce in vitro culture and to multiply shoots from explants isolated from them. The primary explants in the experiment were seeds. The seeds were placed on ½ MS medium without PGR and enriched with GA3 at a concentration of 1 mg∙dm−3. The addition of GA3 to the medium stimulated their germination. Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and 70% ethanol (C2H5OH) were used to sterilize the seeds. NaClO was used for proper sterilization in concentrations: 0.0% (1), 1.5% (2), 2% (3), and 2.5% (4) for 11 min. As secondary explants in the experiment, single-node fragments of sterile seedlings derived from sterile seeds were used, which were placed on MS medium, with the addition of plant growth regulators (PGR) from the group of auxins and cytokinins. The largest number of sterile and live Siberian motherwort seedlings was obtained in the variant in which 2.5% NaClO was used for proper sterilization of the seeds. To optimize the procedure of in vitro micropropagation, the axillary shoots of Leonurus sibiricus L. were transferred during the third passage onto nine different combinations of MS medium: PGR-free medium, with different concentrations of BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) (0.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 mg∙dm−3) and BAP (0.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 mg∙dm−3) with NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid) (1.0 mg∙dm−3). The largest number of shoots (9.62) forming was obtained on the medium supplemented with 4 mg∙dm−3 BAP and 1 mg∙dm−3 NAA, while the longest shoots were on the medium without PGR. Induction of rhizogenesis of Siberian motherwort plants in in vitro cultures was achieved on MS medium with the addition of 0.5 mg∙dm−3 IAA (indole-3-acetic acid). At the stage of adaptation to ex vitro conditions, high plant survival of 90% was achieved by using a solution with MS salts (25%) for irrigation.

Impact of Various Rootstocks and Grafting Techniques on Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Growth and Survival

The present study highlights the impact of various rootstocks and grafting techniques on pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) growth and survival. An experiment was conduct on evaluation of various rootstock of Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn.) was carry out with an analysis to evaluate the Graft compatibility between CV Phule Bhagwa Super and rootstocks of pomegranates (Punica granatum L.). The purpose of Phule Bhagwa Super wedge grafting was to evaluate the compatibility of graft in several rootstocks with the hybrid Phule Bhagwa Super. The rootstocks Bedana Suri and Alandi required the shortest amount of time (16.76 days) to sprout buds, according to the data. Bedana Suri had the highest percentage of bud sprouts (79.00%) at 30 days following grafting (DAG). In Bedana Suri, the highest percentage of graft survival (75.66%) at 90 DAG was documented. The Bedana Suri rootstock had the maximum rate of shoot growth. The rootstock Bedana Suri show the most internodes, shoots, and largest shoot length (89.00 cm). Additionally, there was a noticeable increase in shoot and internodal length with regard to time. The maximal girth at graft union (12.05 mm) was measured in bedana suri. The rootstocks with wedge grafting, Ganesh, Bedana Suri, and Kandhari, had the maximum rootstock and scion girth ratio (1.01). Longer shoots and roots, together with the maximum fresh shoot weight (65.40 g) and root weight (38.40 g), were generated with Bedana Suri rootstock. Kandhari has the greatest shoot/root weight ratio (0.77).

Standardization of Sucrose Concentration in Micropropagation of Valuable Aquascape Plant Echinodorus grisebachii

Aims: To standardize the optimum sucrose concentration in shooting and rooting medium in micropropagation of valuable aquascape plant Echinodorus grisebachii. Study Design: CRD. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, College of Agriculture Vellayani 2022-2024. Methodology: In this study, eight treatments were evaluated separately for their effectiveness in shooting and rooting medium. For the shooting medium, 2 mgL-1 BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) and 3 sucrose concentrations (10, 20,30) gL⁻¹ were used in the MS medium and half-strength MS medium. For rooting medium 3.0 mgL⁻¹ IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid), three concentrations of sucrose as in shooting medium were tried. Results: The result of the study showed that out of 8 treatments tried for shooting medium MS + 2mgL-1 + 30 gL⁻¹ sucrose was best resulted in Shoot initiation (100 %), Minimum days to shoot emergence (6.17), Maximum number of shoots (9.83), Longest shoot (10.33) and maximum number of leaves (31). For rooting medium ½ MS + 3.0 mgL⁻¹ IBA + 30 gL⁻¹ sucrose was best resulted in minimum number of days in root emergence (12.58) and maximum root initiation percentage (99.25). Conclusion: An effective concentration of sucrose was standardized for Echinodorus grisebachii.

Клональное микроразмножение сортов земляники садовой (Fragaria х ananassa Duch.) нейтральнодневного типа плодоношения

Abstract. The article presents the results of the evaluation of the efficiency of clonal propagation of commercially promising day-neutral varieties of garden strawberry. Day-neutral strawberry varieties usually form fewer rosettes on a plant during the growing season than regular varieties, and therefore vegetative propagation is ineffective for these varieties. The aim of the study is to increase the efficiency of propagation of day-neutral varieties of garden strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), characterized by weak runnerforming ability, by optimizing the process of microclonal propagation in vitro and subsequent adaptation of regenerated plants to ex vitro conditions. The article indicates the features of microclonal propagation technology of neutral-day strawberry varieties Vivara, Sweet Eve and Evis Delight. The studies were conducted in the laboratory of the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution NCFSСHVW in 2022-2023. MurashigeSkoog (MS) agar medium with the addition of plant growth regulator 6-BAP was used as the main medium (at the introduction stage – 6-BAP – 0.2 mg/l, at the micropropagation stage – 0.75 mg/l, hormone-free MS medium – control). As a result of the studies, it was found that the variety of garden strawberry Sweet Eve is characterized by a higher shoot-forming ability. At a 6-BAP concentration of 0.75 mg/l in the medium, an average of 10.5 new shoots are formed from one shoot in the third passage. Evis Delight variety showed a low shoot-forming capacity of up to 3.8 shoots/exp. After the fourth passage, even on a hormone-free medium, Sweet Eve variety showed an aftereffect of 6-BAP, with the formation of an average of 8.8 shoots from one explant. Such a strong aftereffect of 6-BAP was not noted in Vivara and Eve’s Delight varieties. Rooting began after the fifth passage on a hormone-free medium. The root formation efficiency was 95- 100%. At this stage, longer shoots up to 5.9 cm and roots up to 4.8 cm are formed in Vivara variety. Evis Delight variety stood out in terms of the number of leaves (an average of 9.1 pcs.) and roots (7.5 pcs.). The use of the biopreparation Agrinos 1 at the adaptation stage had a positive effect on the formation of the vegetative mass and root system of strawberry plants. The application of the preparation at a concentration of 5 ml/l promotes the growth of the root system, the length of which is 1.6-2.2 times greater than the length of the roots in the control variant. The number of leaves increases by 1.1-1.3 times, and the average height of the bushes is 1.5-1.7 times greater than the control values. Key words: clonal micropropagation, day-neutral strawberry, 6-benzylaminopurine, multiplication factor, microshoots

Effect of Plant Growth Substances on Rhizogenesis of Stem Cuttings in Pointed Gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.)

An experiment was conducted to know the influence of growth regulators IBA, NAA and salicylic acid with different concentrations on rooting of stem cuttings in pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.) in College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem, during the year 2023-2024. The experiment was laid out by following Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with twenty treatment combinations which consists of two factors, Factor-1: types of cuttings (male and female) and Factor-2: growth substances (10). By adopting standard methodology, observations on root and shoot growth were recorded and statistically analyzed. Studies on the effects of various growth substances on the formation of roots in cuttings of pointed gourd vines showed that IBA at 150 ppm recorded highest percentage of rooting, the longest root, the number of roots per cutting the number of leaves per cutting, the length of the shoot and the percentage of establishment in main field among various growth substances. In comparison to female cuttings, male cuttings showed a considerably higher percentage of rooting, as well as more roots per cutting, longest root, longest shoot, more leaves per cutting and a higher percentage of establishment in the main field. IBA 150 ppm + male cuttings recorded considerably more roots per cutting and the longest root than the other combinations, according to the interaction between growth substance and type of cutting.

EVALUATION OF THE MORPHOBIOLOGICAL AND PRODUCTIVE INDICATORS OF CHAYOTE (Sechium edule L) IN THE REGION OF MYZEQE, LIBOFSHË, FIER

Prickly potato - Chayote (Sechium edule L) is an exotic plant that grows and is cultivated in Costa Rica. It has been brought to Albania since 2004 and has been studied several times in different areas, mainly in the warm zone. It is a plant that has many synonyms and uses. Sometimes it is called prickly eggplant or prickly gourd and in some places it is called Kayota. The fruit grows above the ground and the plant develops as a pergola with long shoots. The fruit is used cooked in different forms: fried, dish, and or casserole. The leaves are used to make various pies and it is very tasty, especially when cooked with milk. The fruits are planted in March by placing them in the soil and covering them with 5-8 cm. During the vegetation, measurements of biometric and productive indicators were made: Number of shoots/plant, length of shoots/plant (sum), longest shoot, shortest shoot, number of leaves/plant, leaf color, flower color, the shape of the leaf, the shape of the tuber, the color of the skin of the tuber, the color of the tuber pulp, the placement of the buds on the tuber, yield/plant (kg/plant), number of tubers/plant, average tuber weight (kg), the weight of the largest tuber (kg), the weight of the smallest tuber (kg), yield kv/ha. The fruits were chemically analyzed to determine the main chemical indicators: the content of starch and the most important chemical elements.

Inoculation of halotolerant plant-growth-promoting bacteria improved the growth of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) in saline and nonsaline soils

Context Chia (Salvia hispanica L.), a nutrient-rich crop with potential application in different industries, is sensitive to salinity. Halotolerant plant-growth promoting bacteria could be a biotechnological strategy to increase chia’s salinity tolerance. Aims The aim of this study was to determine the morphological and physiological response of chia plants inoculated with free-living halotolerant plant-growth promoting bacteria and grown in saline soils under greenhouse conditions. Methods A total of 15 bacterial treatments were inoculated to plants potted in soils with three electrical conductivity levels: 0.5, 4, and 6 dS m−1. Mortality and morphological and physiological parameters were evaluated. The measured variables were used to calculate a relative growth index. Key results Bacterial inoculation had a positive effect on plants at 4 dS m−1. Plants inoculated with Pseudomonas sp. AN23, Kushneria sp. T3.7, and C6 (Halomonas sp. 3R12 + Micrococcus luteus SA211) exhibited the best morphological and physiological performance (51% longer shoots, up to 90% heavier roots and up to 400% higher photosynthetic rate than control plants). Moreover, plants inoculated with Kushneria sp. T3.7 and C5 (Halomonas sp. 3R12 + Pseudomonas sp. AN23) showed significant increase in stomatal conductance and transpiration rate (up to 12 times) and in proline production (up to 345 μg g−1 leaf fresh weight) with respect to control plants (8 μg g−1 leaf fresh weight) under saline conditions. Conclusions The analysed extremophilic plant-growth promoting bacteria enhanced growth and stress tolerance in chia, a salt-sensitive crop. Implications Free-living plant-growth promoting bacteria isolated from hypersaline environments have potential for bioinoculant formulation for salinity-sensitive crops.

Meta-Topolin as an Effective Benzyladenine Derivative to Improve the Multiplication Rate and Quality of In Vitro Axillary Shoots of Húsvéti Rozmaring Apple Scion.

In vitro mass propagation of apple plants plays an important role in the rapid multiplication of genetically uniform, disease-free scions and rootstocks with desired traits. Successful micropropagation of apple using axillary shoot cultures is influenced by several factors, the most critical of which is the cytokinin included in the culture medium. The impact of medium composition from single added cytokinins on shoot proliferation of apple scion Húsvéti rozmaring cultured on agar-agar gelled Murashige and Skoog medium fortified with indole butyric acid and gibberellic acid was investigated. The optimum concentration for efficient shoot multiplication differs according to the type of cytokinin. The highest significant multiplication rate (5.40 shoots/explant) was achieved using 2.0 μM thidiazuron while the longest shoots (1.80 cm) were observed on the medium containing benzyladenine at a concentration of 2.0 μM. However, application of either thidiazuron or benzyladenine as cytokinin source in the medium resulted in shoots of low quality, such as stunted and thickened shoots with small leaves. In the case of benzyladenine riboside, the 8 μM concentration was the most effective in increasing the multiplication rate (4.76 shoots/explant) but caused thickened stem development with tiny leaves. In the present study, meta-topolin was shown to be the most effective cytokinin that could be applied to induce sufficient multiplication (3.28 shoots/explant) and high-quality shoots along with shoot lengths of 1.46 cm when it was applied at concentrations of 4 μM. However, kinetin was the least active cytokinin; it practically did not induce the development of new shoots. The superior cytokinin for in vitro axillary shoot development of apple scion Húsvéti rozmaring with high-quality shoots was the meta-topolin, but it may be different depending on the variety/genotype under study.

Nodal influence on <i>Nauclea diderrichii</i> (De Willd and T. Durand) merill juvenile stem cutting

The experiment investigated effect of number of nodes on shooting and rooting ability of Nauclea diderrichii juvenile cuttings. The cuttings were approximately cut into one node cuttings (T1), two nodes’ cuttings (T2), three nodes’ cuttings (T3) and four nodes’ cuttings (T4) experiment treatments. Five cuttings each of the treatment were set in planting trays and replicated four times making eighty (80) cuttings in total. It was arranged under a humid propagator chamber in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and assessed variables such as survival rate, the number of leaves, root and shoot, the longest shoot and root length.The result showed that nodal cuttings in treatment T4, had the best performance (4.50) in the survival rate while the least mean survival rate is T1 with 2.75. It was also observed from the experiment that T4 (four nodes’ cuttings) had the highest performance in the number of root and shoot, the number of leaves, the longest shoot and root length while T1 (one node cuttings) had the least performance in the number of root and shoot, the number of leaves, longest shoot and root length. This means that the more the nodes, the better the cutting performance. The ANOVA showed that the treatments are significantly differentat 0.05% probability level. It is therefore recommended that to have an optimum performance in survival rate, the number of root and shoot, the number of leaves, longest shoot and root length for its sustainablemass production N. diderrichii, four nodal cuttings should be used.

Seed Dormancy Breaking and Germination Rate Improvement in Mucuna (Mucuna bracteata) Seeds using Mechanical and Fungicide Treatments

Mucuna (Mucuna bracteata) is a cover crop for young plants in oil palm plantations. However, it has a very low germination rate due to its hard outer shell and fungi infestation after germination. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the effectivity of mechanical treatment combined with 15-min of Dithane M-45 treatment to improve the germination rate of Mucuna’s seed and its seedling growth. The experiment was performed with the combination of two factors: mechanical treatment and Dithane M-45 (0.00 g/L, 0.05 g/Lg, 0.10 g/L and 0.15 g/L) in pentaplicate for each group. The seeds were sowed on wet cotton, and the data was analyzed using ANOVA (α = 0.05) followed by DMRT (α = 0.05). The shell nicking seed followed by a 0.10 g/L of Dithane M-45 treatment resulted in the best germination rate (88 ± 9.1%), the fastest germination speed (6.29 ± 0.65 %), the shortest mean germination time (4.25 ± 0.87 days), the longest shoot, and the highest of fresh and dry biomass for both shoot and root of the seedlings. Therefore, the shell nicking and fungicide immersion before sowing the seeds could improve Mucuna's germination and seedling growth.

Physiological evaluation of Sonchus oleraceus L. seeds with different pre-germinative treatments under high tropical latitudinal conditions

Sonchus oleraceus L. is an invasive species that negatively affects the quality and yield of different crops. This research aimed to evaluate the physiological behavior of seeds from the weed S. oleraceus L., which were subjected to different treatments in three experiments. In experiment 1, different gibberellic acid (GA) concentrations were applied (0, 200, 400, and 600 mg L-1). In the second experiment, apical, basal, and apical-basal cut treatments were carried out on the seeds. In a third experiment, seeds were placed at different sowing depths (0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 cm) in peat as the substrate. The results indicated that GA at concentrations higher than 200 mg L-1 inhibited seed germination and, consequently, seedling growth. Germination was similar between the 200 mg L-1 GA treatment and the control, but germination occurred faster in the control. The apical-basal cut in the seeds generated the highest percentage of germination, the highest average speed of germination, and a significantly lower time of germination than the control; however, the longest shoot was observed in the seeds without a cut, and the longest root was detected in the seeds with the basal cut. Seedling emergence was affected by sowing depth, where it was significantly greater at 0.5, lesser at 2 cm, and, at greater depths, seedlings did not emerge.

Effect of Spirulina platensis extract on growth potential of in vitro culture pear

Pears are among the most economically important fruits in the world that are grown in all temperate zones. ‘Le-Cont’ rootstock pear is one of the gene sources used to improve fruit productivity, rootstock resistance, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Traditional propagation of pear. Pear is time-consuming and limited by a short growing season and hard winter conditions. Therefore, in vitro propagation is a suitable alternative method. Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) and spirulina platensis extract at 5,10 and 20 % supplemented with different concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/l) of 6-benzyladenine (BA) and kinetin (Kin), individually or in combination with them. Treatments were used for in vitro shoot proliferation. Nodal segments were used as explants. MS medium augmented was 3mg/l 6-benzyladenine (BA) plus 20 % Spirulina platensis extraction then used for shootlets proliferation of micro-shoots. A combination of 3 mg/l BA and 20 % Spirulina platensis as a growth media resulted in a significant improvement in shoot proliferation. This combination produced the highest number of shoots (2.8 per explant) and leaves (6.3 per explant) similar with those containing MS media plus 20% extraction (2.9 per explant) and leaves (6.8 per explant). The longest shoots (2.97 cm) were obtained in each previous treatment. However, these shoots were similar with those produced from classical multiplication by MS according to ISSR analysis which scored 89.1 % of mono morphism percentage and 10.1 % polymorphism. The ISSR analysis shows the highest similarity index percentage for P5-P9 0.986301.

Effects of different explant and growth regulator combinations on in vitro propagation of Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.)

The aim of the research is to develop a suitable micropropagation protocol for the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.) plant, which is used as an ornamental plant. In the sterilization step, mercuric chloride together with sodium hypochlorite is approved as the best option. Thus, contamination of explants is eliminated. At the shoot propagation stage, BA is absolutely necessary as all doses of BA increased shoot propagation compared to the control. The highest number of shoots per explant (2.62 shoots/explant) and the longest shoots (2.16 cm) were obtained from 1.0 mg.L-1 BA medium. The highest number of leaves (20.41 leaves/explant) was obtained from 2.0 mg.L-1 BA medium. Kinetin was also effective when adding different concentrations to the culture medium compared to the control. In general, BA is more effective than Kinetin in these parameters. Kinetin, on the other hand, performed much better than BA in terms of shoot number. On the other hand, the highest rooting percentage (58.2%) was obtained from the addition of 0.3 mg.L-1 NAA. The highest root number (5.10 roots/explant) was obtained by adding 0.1 mg.L-1 NAA. Good performance was found in the acclimatization phase with plantlets transferred to the soil with a high survival rate reaching 100%. Most of the plantlets started growing well. The plantlets grew well and did not show morphological abnormalities. In addition, a successful plant regeneration was achieved by adding 1.0 mg.L-1 BA and 0.5 mg.L-1 NAA on the callus produced in leaf disc explants and a very good organogenesis was determined in terms of roots and shoots.

Synthetic polyploid induction influences morphological, physiological, and photosynthetic characteristics in Melissa officinalis L.

Melissa officinalis L., a well-known herb with diverse industrial and ethnopharmacological properties. Although, there has been a significant lack in the breeding attempts of this invaluable herb. This study aimed to enhance the agronomical traits of M. officinalis through in vitro polyploidization. Nodal segments were micropropagated and subjected to oryzalin treatment at concentrations of 20, 40, and 60 mM for 24 and 48 hours. Flow cytometry, chromosome counting, and stomatal characteristics were employed to confirm the ploidy level of the surviving plants. The survival rate of the treated explants decreased exponentially with increasing oryzalin concentration and duration. The highest polyploid induction rate (8%) was achieved with 40 mM oryzalin treatment for 24 hours. The induced tetraploid plants exhibited vigorous growth, characterized by longer shoots, larger leaves, and a higher leaf count. Chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters elucidated disparities in photosynthetic performance between diploid and tetraploid genotypes. Tetraploid plants demonstrated a 75% increase in average essential oil yield, attributed to the significantly larger size of peltate trichomes. Analysis of essential oil composition in diploid and tetraploid plants indicated the presence of three major components: geranial, neral, and citronellal. While citronellal remained consistent, geranial and neral increased by 11.06% and 9.49%, respectively, in the tetraploid population. This effective methodology, utilizing oryzalin as an anti-mitotic agent for polyploid induction in M. officinalis, resulted in a polyploid genotype with superior morpho-physiological traits. The polyploid lemon balm generated through this method has the potential to meet commercial demands and contribute significantly to the improvement of lemon balm cultivation.

Effect of coconut water on in vitro propagation of Hylocereus costaricensus and acclimatization

Red-purple dragon fruit, Hylocereus costaricensis (Web.) Britton & Rose belongs to Cactaceae family. Due to its high nutraceutical ingredients has attracted a lot of attention to alternative propagate this species through in vitro culture technique. This research was aimed to analysed the effects of different concentrations of coconut water on the growth of H. costaricensis stem explants in Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Vacin and Went (VW) media. Then, combination of soil and coconut coir or coconut husk were used as planting media during acclimatization was investigated. Findings showed that in MS and VW supplemented with 5% coconut water formed 100% of shoot and root. VW media supplemented with 5% of coconut water yielded the highest average number of shoots (6.28 ± 0.48) and the longest shoot (3.85 ± 0.23 cm). The longest root (7.00 ± 0.66 cm) was observed on MS media supplemented with 5% coconut water whereas VW media supplemented with 5% coconut water produced the highest average number of roots (2.40 ± 0.19). Addition of coconut water can stimulate better shoot and root formation as it contains naturally plant growth regulators. During acclimatization, combination of soil and coconut coir showed the highest percentage (100%) of survival rate.

Performance of Some Japanese Plum (Prunus salicina) Cultivars in Mid-hill Condition of Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh

A study was conducted during February to July, 2020 and 2021 at the Horticultural Research Station Seobagh, Himachal Pradesh, India to evaluate various attributes of plum under the mid-hill temperate zone. Ten plum cultivars Red Beaut, Au Rosa, Au Amber, Satluj Purple, Kala Amritsari, Shiro, Frontier, Mariposa, Black Amber, Queen Rosa, and Angeleno grafted on wild apricot were evaluated alongside with numerous standards in a high-density experimental orchard, and these types were compared with the “Santa Rosa” variety as a control. According to the findings, Red Beaut ripened first whereas the cultivar Mariposa took 150 days from flowering to harvest, making it the last to be picked. The cv. Au Rosa had the largest trunk girth (44 cm), cv. Mariposa likewise had the longest shoots, measuring 180 cm, cv. Frontier had the highest fruit output per tree (145 kg), closely followed by the cv. Black Amber (140 kg) which also has maximum fruit size (5.4 cm), and weight (130 g). The cv. Frontier (14.1°B) showed the highest TSS, followed by the cv. Mariposa (14.0°B), while the cv. Kala Amritsari showed the lowest TSS. The plum cultivar Kala Amritsari displayed the highest fruit acidity, at 2.3%. Due to their ability to extend the repining period from May through August, the plum cultivars Red Beaut, Frointer, Mariposa, and Black Amber were found to be appropriate for commercial cultivation in Himachal Pradesh.

Effect of Organic Additives on the Micropropagation of Asparagus officinalis

In vitro propagation is one of the most promising techniques for the large-scale clonal propagation of Asparagus officinalis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of organic additives, including coconut water (CW), banana homogenate (BH), and potato homogenate (PH), on A. officinalis shoot and root proliferation. The results revealed that CW, specifically at 20% (v/v), was the most effective organic additive for promoting shoot and root formation in the in vitro plantlets. Furthermore, the longest shoot and root lengths were also observed in the MS medium supplemented with 20% (v/v) CW. In the supporting medium of 1:1 peat moss and vermiculite, the in vitro plantlets exhibited a high survival rate with a morphology comparable to that of the mother plant. The results of this study demonstrate that CW can be applied as a supplemental material for large-scale A. officinalis micropropagation.

Unraveling the defensive strategies of camel thorn Alhagi maurorum medik. For thriving in arid and semi-arid environments

The study aimed to evaluate the role of morpho-physiological and anatomical attributes of Alhagi maurorum Medik. Populations from five water deficit regions in Punjab province, Pakistan, namely, Cholistan desert (KHP), Rajanpur (DGK), Thal (LYH), Patisar Lake (LAS), and Salt Range (WSM), in their adaptability to arid and semi-arid regions. The study sheds light on the adaptive components of various plant populations to cope with increasing dryness ratio. Arid populations [Khanpur-KHP (D = 44.91, P = 97.1 mm), Dera Ghazi Khan-DGK (D = 41.41, P = 105.3 mm), Layyah-LYH (D = 37.11, P = 117.5 mm) and Ladamsar-LAS (D = 34.83, P = 125.2 mm)] relied on larger roots and leaves, enhanced biomass production, ion accumulation, and photosynthetic pigments. It also encompassing larger root and stem cellular area, cortex and vascular region, thicker leaves, and numerous large stomata. Semi-arid populations display distinctive changes, such as longer shoots, higher root and shoot Na+ levels, organic osmolytes, thicker epidermis, and enlarged pith region in stems [Warcha Salt Mine-WSM (D = 8.70, P = 501 mm)]. These modifications at both structural and functional levels guarantee the survival and success of this species in challenging environmental conditionswhich will have implications for sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and adaptation to climate change adaptation in arid and semi-arid regions.

The Effect of Topophysis on the In Vitro Development of Handroanthus guayacan and on Its Metabolism of Meta-Topolin Riboside.

An important factor affecting the uniformity of in vitro cultures is the topophysical position of the original explant. We investigated this phenomenon in Handroanthus guayacan, a tropical woody tree species. Shoots from a stock culture were separated into upper, middle and basal sections and transferred to a modified MS medium containing meta-topolin-riboside and indole-butyric acid. After 8 weeks, the middle section produced the most shoots, the longest shoots and the highest number of nodes per plant. Shoots derived from the upper section were elongated, but had the shortest internodes, while those from the basal section formed the largest callus. None of the three types of explants rooted during the proliferation phase. The topophysically dependent spatial distribution of endogenous cytokinins and auxins was determined. The topophysical effect observed could not be explained solely by analyzing the endogenous isoprenoid and auxin. However, the metabolism and distribution of the aromatic cytokinin could provide an explanation. The concentration of the meta hydroxy-substituted topolins was highest in shoots derived from the middle section. Aromatic N- and O-glucosides were much more concentrated in the leaves than in the stems. In conclusion, it is recommended to consider the explant's topophysis when developing a multiplication protocol to avoid heterogeneity in an in vitro culture.

Intergeneric hybridization of two endangered orchids, Vanda stangeana and Phalaenopsis hygrochila, and molecular confirmation of hybridity using SSR and SCoT markers

Vanda stangeana Rchb. f. is an endemic species of Manipur, India. Its flowers are greenish-yellow, 5 cm in size with a pink mid-lobe, tessellated in chestnut brown color and tough texture with a long shelf life. Phalaenopsis hygrochila J.M.H. Shaw is a large-sized, hot to cool growing, epiphytic orchid with sturdy, 20 to 40 cm, more or less flattened stem with elliptic-oblong leaves. The flowers are fragrant, pale greenish yellow, more or less dotted with brown or brown-red, with a whitish or white base, waxy, long-lasting, up to 6 cm in diameter, column white, labellum slightly purplish purple, paler towards the margins. Both plants are included under CITES' Appendix II. The current study concentrates on a hybridization program involving two vandaceous orchid genera, namely Vanda stangeana and Phalaenopsis hygrochila to investigate their cross-ability and molecular confirmation of the synthesized hybrid using SSR and SCoT marker system. MS medium at half-strength enriched with 0.5 mg/L NAA + 0.5 mg/L Kn was the optimal medium for the development of the synthesized hybrid seedlings with the longest shoot (2.6 cm), the maximum number of leaves (4.5), leaf length (2.5 cm) and highest number of root (4.4) after 150 days of culture on the medium. In total, 65 amplified bands were revealed by seven SCoT primers (SCoT4, SCoT6, SCoT9, SCoT10, SCoT34, SCoT35 and SCoT36), of which 38 (58.46%) were polymorphic with the percentage ranging from 22.22% to 85.75%, thereby convincingly demonstrated the hybridity. Out of 8 pairs of SSR primers used, 3 primers (C106, MOK26 and C268) showed complementary banding patterns. Our study demonstrated that an intergeneric hybrid can be successfully produced by the hybridization of vandaceous orchids belonging to two different genera.