Cultivation Of Material Research Articles

Influence of propagules and growth regulators on the performance of underutilized spice - Spiny coriander (Eryngium foetidum L.)

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of propagules of spiny coriander (Eryngium foetidum L) as influenced by growth regulators in the Forestry Nursery of North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology during 2018 and 2019. Spiny coriander is an underutilized culinary spice; a medicinal and aromatic plant that belongs to the family Apiaceae. The study consisted of 14 treatments involving two levels of propagules like stem cuttings (S1) and suckers (S2) and seven levels of growth regulators namely Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) and Indole-3 Acetic Acid (IAA) [each at 0, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm]. The results indicated that the treatment T9 involving sucker (S2 + IBA 500 ppm) was found better in terms of growth and it was comparable with T12 (S2 + IAA 500 ppm) during both years. Suckers treated with IBA 500 ppm and IAA 500 ppm showed significantly superior performance over the stem cuttings. It is concluded that suckers (7-10 cm) of Eryngium foetidum may be used as propagating material for commercial cultivation, as it is an easy, quick and economical method of propagation.

Brazilian Cerrado wheat: Technological quality of genotypes grown in tropical locations

Brazilian Cerrado wheat has emerged as an alternative to expand a new agricultural frontier in tropical areas. In this study, technological quality of 34 samples grown in five locations situated in the Cerrado Mineiro was evaluated in terms of their grain, flour, and starch properties. Damaged starch was positively (p < .05) correlated with Single Kernel Characterization System parameters (r = 0.578) and pasting properties (r = 0.761), and negatively (p < .05) correlated with enthalpy (r = −0.400) and relative crystallinity (r = −0.379). The irrigation system strongly influenced the starch characteristics, rheological, and pasting properties. Piumhi location showed the highest mean of resistant starch (0.80 g/100g), bringing an interesting prebiotic appeal to these samples. Gluten index (mean = 90.6) and damaged starch (mean = 5.0%) values showed that genotypes present suitable standards for bakery products. This pioneering study highlights promising agronomic materials for cultivation in the Brazilian Cerrado region, which has great potential to produce tropical wheat. Practical applications Wheat is the second most significant staple grain after maize, constituting a strategic role in food security to the world economy. In Brazil, more than 90% of wheat is grown in traditional areas that include subtropical climates. In this scenario, Brazilian Cerrado has been standing out as a potential region for wheat cultivation to produce improver wheat class that is the main consumer-driven market. Wheat culture has been adapted under Cerrado conditions after massive investments regarding genetic improvement and integrated soil–water–nutrient–plant practices that allow high grain productivity. Thus, the characterization of wheat grain associated with flour rheological evaluation and starch profile is effective in predicting processing behavior and applicability in different bakery products. The results showed that irrigation system strongly influenced the rheological and pasting properties of starch. These samples showed suitable contents of dry gluten (11%–14%) and damaged starch (4.5%) for bakery products development.

First Report That Mucor irregularis Causes White Mold Disease on Substrates Used for Wine-Cap Mushroom (Stropharia rugosoannulata) Cultivation in China

Stropharia rugosoannulata is a popular edible mushroom. In October 2020, white mold disease was found on substrates of S. rugosoannulata in a heliogreenhouse in Huai’an city, Jiangsu province, China. The cultivation materials included rice straw (30%), wheat straw (30%), saw dust (30%), and a small amount of wheat bran (5%) and rice bran (5%). In the diseased substrates, a large amount of thick white fungal mycelia was observed with yellow ooze on the surface, which prevented the growth of the mycelia and fruiting bodies of S. rugosoannulata. Disease incidence was calculated as ∼30%. The fungus was identified morphologically and through DNA as Mucor irregularis, and pathogenicity was confirmed. In order to ensure the safe production of S. rugosoannulata, once white mold disease is found, the infected tissue should be removed. This is the first report that M. irregularis causes white mold disease on S. rugosoannulata in China.

Pelatihan Budidaya Jamur Dan Pembuatan Media Tanam Jamur Tiram Di Sulawesi Selatan

Oyster mushroom is one of the most commonly processed mushrooms as food ingredients and has high economic value. Many people in the South Sulawesi area are interested in cultivation of oyster mushrooms, but inexperience about cultivation and making oyster mushroom growing media (baglog) in the South Sulawesi area has made people unable to cultivation the oyster mushrooms independently. The purpose of engagement was to provide training in the cultivation and manufacture of oyster mushroom growing media to the community, so that people can cultivate and make mushroom growing media. This training begins with the provision of cultivation materials and the manufacture of growing media for oyster mushrooms, as well as business prospects for oyster mushrooms. Then, the practice of guidance on making oyster mushroom growing media, sterilization and mushroom inoculation was carried out. After that, simulation and evaluation were carried out, where participants were formed in groups and did independent practice of making mushroom growing media. This activity was carried out in one of the oyster mushroom cultivation sites in the City of Parepare, South Sulawesi, namely "Sahabat Jamur". This activity is also supported by the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program of PT PLN Persero – Sulselrabar Region. The training was conducted from 2 to 4 July 2021, and continued post-training monitoring via Whatsapp Group. The evaluation results from this training show that the cultivation and manufacture of oyster mushroom growing media can be done independently by the community, especially in the South Sulawesi area. The prospect of oyster mushroom cultivation and its processing has a very big opportunity in South Sulawesi.Keywords: Cultivation, Baglog, Oyster mushroom, South Sulawesi, Sahabat Jamur

Phytochemicals and in vitro anti-apoptotic properties of ethanol and hot water extracts of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) peel biogas slurry following anaerobic degradation

BackgroundWastes emanating from cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) processing in African countries significantly contribute to environmental pollution, besides, such toxic wastes contribute to greenhouse gas emission. Although cassava peel has been successfully used as a raw material in mushroom cultivation, feedstock for livestock, biogas production but the bio-transformed products recovered from the anaerobic digestion of cassava wastes, especially the peels have often been overlooked. Therefore, this research aimed at quantifying the secondary metabolites in the slurry recovered from ethanol and hot water extraction of cassava peel subjected to biogas production, in vitro, for anti-apoptotic properties.MethodsFresh cassava peels were allowed to ferment anaerobically to produce three states of matter; gas, solid, and liquid/slurry. The slurry was extracted using 95 % ethanol and 100 oC hot water to obtain crude extracts, which were then subjected to anti-apoptotic screening using the mitochondrial swelling assay. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts was done using standard methods. Further characterization of the crude extracts was done by FTIR for the chemical elucidation of the functional groups present.ResultsThe qualitative phytoconstituents revealed that the slurry extracts are naturally enriched with alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, and saponins. The infrared spectrum of the crude extracts revealed the presence of hydroxyl, alkane, carboxyl groups in the ethanol extract, and hydroxyl, alkene, amide, carbonyl groups in the hot water extract. In the presence and absence of exogenous Ca2+, both extracts of the slurry induced liver mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening albeit at low amplitude swelling as the mean absorbance was less than one (at 540 nm).ConclusionsBased on these results obtained, the crude extracts of cassava peel biogas slurry have been proven to possess bioactive compounds that could induce liver mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, in vitro.

Distribution of ingenol derivatives in Euphorbia plants and UV-dependent promotion of ingenol production in greenhouse-grown Euphorbia plants

Resource discovery for producing biologically active phytochemicals plays an important role in industrial crops area. Ingenol-3-angelate, one of the most concerned macrocyclic diterpenoids, has been approved for clinical treatment of actinic keratosis and industrially produced by a semi-synthesis approach using hydrolysis products of ingenol derivatives. Ingenol derivatives are considered exclusive among Euphorbia genus at a quite low level. In search for high-ingenol plant species from the Euphorbiaceae family, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was performed for the quantitative analysis of the free ingenol content in the hydrolyzed methanol extract of 61 selected plant species, including 50 Euphorbia plants, 9 plants from other Euphorbiaceae genera, and 2 Phyllanthaceae plants. The ingenol derivatives in E. milii and E. cotinifolia which contained high level of ingenol esters were further identified by UHPLC-MS. Amounts of ingenol diterpenes varied among the samples. The highest free ingenol content (527.82 ± 38.19 μmol/kg of dry herb weight) was found in a variation, E. tithymaloides 'Nanus', followed by E. tithymaloides (402.81 ± 28.89 μmol/kg), E. milii (391.30 ± 43.51 μmol/kg), E. ammak (379.75 ± 34.68 μmol/kg), and E. trigona (357.07 ± 34.29 μmol/kg). The results revealed the trace amount of ingenol derivatives in some Jatropha, Acalypha, Codiaeum, and Excoecaria plants for the first time and confirmed the higher level of ingenol esters in some Euphorbia plants cultivated under polycarbonate panel with higher UV transmission than those grown under double layer glass. The secondary metabolites varied distinctively among different Euphorbia sections. This work suggested more applicable sources for ingenol production and better greenhouse covering material for Euphorbia plants cultivation in consideration of ingenol derivatives.

Insight into the Way the Content of Biologically Active Compounds in Meadowsweet Inflorescences (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) Is Shaped by Phytosociological Habitats.

A collection of herbs from the natural environment remains not only a source of raw material but also provides evidence of chemical differentiation of the local populations. This work aimed at performing a phytosociological analysis of seven different stands of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) occurrence. A determination of total phenolic compounds and salicylates and the antioxidant activity of dried meadowsweet inflorescences (Flos ulmariae) was also performed. Active chemical compounds in F. ulmaria inflorescences were related to chemotype and diversified between investigated populations. Geographical distance and variation in phytosociological locations affected chemical composition in different ways, shaping the content of biochemical compounds crucial for herbal material quality. The obtained results can be a valuable indicator for Nexo and Baligród populations, which are good genetic material for research, breeding, and cultivation due to their biochemical composition, especially with respect to salicylates, as major compounds of determining market quality of Flos ulmariae.

Critical parameters in cultivation of experimental biofilms using the example of Pseudomonas fluorescens

Formation and treatment of biofilms present a great challenge for health care and industry. About 80% of human infections are associated with biofilms including biomaterial centered infections, like infections of prosthetic heart valves, central venous catheters, or urinary catheters. Additionally, biofilms can cause food and drinking water contamination. Biofilm research focusses on application of experimental biofilm models to study initial adherence processes, to optimize physico-chemical properties of medical materials for reducing interactions between materials and bacteria, and to investigate biofilm treatment under controlled conditions. Exploring new antimicrobial strategies plays a key role in a variety of scientific disciplines, like medical material research, anti-infectious research, plant engineering, or wastewater treatment. Although a variety of biofilm models exist, there is a lack of standardization for experimental protocols, and designing experimental setups remains a challenge. In this study, a number of experimental parameters critical for material research have been tested that influence formation and stability of an experimental biofilm using the non-pathogenic model strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens. These parameters include experimental time frame, nutrient supply, inoculum concentration, static and dynamic cultivation conditions, material properties, and sample treatment during staining for visualization of the biofilm. It was shown, that all tested parameters critically influence the experimental biofilm formation process. The results obtained in this study shall support material researchers in designing experimental biofilm setups.

Response of Lettuce Germplasm to Salt Stress at Different Developmental Stages

Salinity is one of the most detrimental abiotic stresses leading to considerable yield and economic losses worldwide. Lettuce is a relatively salt sensitive species, thus placing the interest in the release of salt-tolerant cultivars to enhance production in saline soils. This study aimed at investigating the response of lettuce germplasm to salt stress at the germination and at the whole plant level and to examine possibilities of early selection for salt tolerant genotypes. Fifteen lettuce commercial varieties were initially screened for salt tolerance on the basis of seed germination and seedling growth potential under salt stress conditions (0, 50, 100, 150 mM NaCl). The in vitro evaluation revealed the existence of considerable genetic variation related to salt tolerance at germination and allowed for the classification of genotypes into tolerant, moderately tolerant and sensitive to salt stress. Based on this classification, six cultivars were assessed at the whole plant level using plant height, chlorophyll content and fresh and dry biomass weight as evaluation criteria. Overall findings point to the existence of a satisfactory association of genotype performance between germination and later growth stages, thus suggesting the feasibility of screening for salt tolerance at early growth stages. This approach may considerably upgrade the efficiency of selecting suitable germplasm material for cultivation in saline soils or introgression into relevant breeding programs.

The effect of screen materials on the microclimate and growth of chili pepper plant

Climate change often causes failure in cultivation. So, microclimate modification is needed. One of which is to use the screen to ensure the cultivation of chili pepper plants. The purposes of this study were to understand the effect of several types of screen materials on the growth of the chili pepper plant and to determine the best screen material for chili pepper plant cultivation. This study consisted of four treatments; there is no screen (NO), UV plastic screen with 0.6 mm (UV) of thickness, shading net with 50% shade factor (SN), and the combination of UV and SN. The results indicated the lowest intensity of sunlight and temperature occurs in the microclimate was using a combination of UV and SN screens. The highest growth, the largest number of leaves, and the earliest flowering age was using SN treatment with 30.65 cm, 39.88 leaves, and 36 days, respectively. In Summary, the treatment of shading net showed the best material for chili pepper plant cultivation compared to UV plastic and the combination of UV plastic and shading net.

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Approach on the Production of Sago Sucker for Cultivation

Sago palm is one of the commodities being cultivated and traded in Malaysia for its high starch content. Sago seedling, or commonly referred to as sucker, is the planting material for sago cultivation. This paper discusses the life cycle assessment approach for the calculation of life cycle inventory for the production of one sago sucker. In this study, the functional unit is defined as one sago sucker. The process starts from the reception of suckers from suppliers, raft preparation, planting sago suckers in rafts, fertilization, and ends with transportation of the suckers to the plantation. Interviews and data verification were done on-site at the Crop Research and Application Unit (CRAUN) Sungai Talau Research Station. LCI data showed that water was the main input for the production of sago sucker, followed by diesel for transportation, pesticides, and fertilisers. The outcome of this study provides a basis or guideline to planters in implementing sago best agricultural practices for the production of sustainable sago.

Study on the differences of gene expression between pear and apple wild cultivation materials based on RNA-seq technique

BackgroundPears and apples are both perennial deciduous trees of the Rosaceae family, and both are important economic fruit trees worldwide. The emergence of many varieties in the market has been mostly domesticated from wild to cultivated and regulated by the differential expression of genes. However, the molecular process and pathways underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. Four typical wild and cultivar pear and apple trees at three developmental stages were used in our study to investigate the molecular process at the transcriptome level.ResultPhysiological observations indicated the obvious differences of size, weight, sugar acid content and peel color in wild and cultivar fruit among each developmental stage. Using next-generation sequencing based RNA-seq expression profiling technology, we produced a transcriptome in procession of a large fraction of annotated pear and apple genes, and provided a molecular basis underlying the phenomenon of wild and cultivar fruit tree differences. 5921 and 5744 differential expression genes were identified in pear and apple at three developmental stages respectively. We performed temporal and spatial differential gene expression profiling in developing fruits. Several key pathways such as signal transduction, photosynthesis, translation and many metabolisms were identified as involved in the differentiation of wild and cultivar fruits.ConclusionIn this study, we reported on the next-generation sequencing study of the temporal and spatial mRNA expression profiling of pear and apple fruit trees. Also, we demonstrated that the integrated analysis of pear and apple transcriptome, which strongly revealed the consistent process of domestication in Rosaceae fruit trees. The results will be great influence to the improvement of cultivar species and the utilization of wild resources.

Managing botanic garden collections of high conservation value

The author has spent 30 years co-ordinating the International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP), based at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and uses this significant milestone to reflect on some important aspects of managing genetic resources in plants of conservation concern. The main driver of the ex-situ component of the ICCP has been to develop robust protocols for broadening the genetic base of threatened conifers and a range of conservation dependent Chilean woody plants in cultivation. This is achieved using well-documented known wild origin material distributed through a dedicated network of ‘safe sites’. Examples of threatened species for which collection and cultivation of a breadth of genetic material has enabled meaningful conservation are given here. The strategy to increase genetic material in cultivation sometimes involves using novel methods including conservation hedges. The great challenge facing all managers of botanical collections is how to develop effective programmes that integrate ex-situ with in-situ conservation. The biggest contribution collection managers and growers can make is to maximise the value of collections in their care and actions which achieve this are listed.

Refractory Metal Coated Alumina Foams as Support Material for Stem Cell and Fibroblasts Cultivation.

Ceramics are widely used as implant materials; however, they are brittle and may emit particles when used in these applications. To overcome this disadvantage, alumina foams, which represent a 3D cellular structure comparable to that of human trabecular bone structures, were sputter coated with platinum, tantalum or titanium and modified with fibronectin or collagen type I, components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). To proof the cell material interaction, the unmodified and modified materials were cultured with (a) mesenchymal stem cells being a perfect indicator for biocompatibility and releasing important cytokines of the stem cell niche and (b) with fibroblasts characterized as mediators of inflammation and therefore an important cellular component of the foreign body reaction and inflammation after implantation. To optimize and compare the influence of metal surfaces on cellular behavior, planar glass substrates have been used. Identified biocompatible metal surface of platinum, titanium and tantalum were sputtered on ceramic foams modified with the above-mentioned ECM components to investigate cellular behavior in a 3D environment. The cellular alumina support was characterized with respect to its cellular/porous structure and niche accessibility and coating thickness of the refractory metals; the average cell size was 2.3 mm, the average size of the cell windows was 1.8 mm, and the total foam porosity was 91.4%. The Pt, Ti and Ta coatings were completely dense covering the entire alumina foam surface. The metals titanium and tantalum were colonized very well by the stem cells without a coating of ECM components, whereas the fibroblasts preferred components of the ECM on the alumina foam surface.

Influence of Soil Variation on Diosgenin Content Profile in Costus speciosus from Indo-Gangetic Plains.

Costus speciosus is a rich source of commercially important compound Diosgenin, distributed in different regions of India. The present investigation was aimed to quantify diosgenin through High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography in 34 germplasms of Costus speciosus and also to identify the superior sources and to correlate the macronutrients of rhizospheric soil. The starch content varied in microscopic examination and correlated inversely (r=-0.266) with diosgenin content. Findings revealed that the extraction process with acid hydrolysis yielded higher diosgenin content (0.15-1.88 %) as compared to non-hydrolysis (0.009-0.368 %) procedure. Germplasms from Uttar Pradesh (NBCS-4), Jharkhand (NBCS-39) and Bihar (NBCS-2) were identified as elite chemotypes based on hierarchical clustering analysis. The phosphorous content of respective rhizospheric soil correlated positively (r=0.742) with diosgenin content. Findings of present study are useful to identify the new agrotechniques. The elite germplasms can also be used as quality planting material for large scale cultivation in order to assure a sustained supply to the herbal drug industry.

Effects of cadmium stress on physiological indexes and fruiting body nutritions of Agaricus brasiliensis

In this study, 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg·kg−1 of cadmium were added to the cultivation materials. In order to study the effects of different concentrations of Cd stress on J1 and J77, the contents of antioxidant enzymes, proline and malondialdehyde, Cd content, agronomic traits and yield of fruiting bodies of Agaricus brasiliensis were determined, and the nutritional components such as polysaccharide, triterpene, protein, total sugar and total amino acid were determined. The results showed that the physiological indexes of strain J1 and J77 changed regularly under different concentrations of Cd stress. J1 was a high absorption and low tolerance variety, while J77 was a low absorption and high tolerance variety. Low concentration of Cd promoted the growth of strain J1, and higher concentration of Cd promoted the growth of strain J77. The contents of protein and total amino acids in the two strains changed greatly, followed by polysaccharides, which indicated that Cd stress had the greatest impact on the three nutrients, and other nutrients were not sensitive to Cd stress.

Cytotoxic, clonal fidelity, and antioxidant evaluation of in vitro propagated Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia

Vitex negundo L. var. cannabifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.) Hand.-Mazz. is an important medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds. In vitro tissue culture can be used to produce high-quality starting materials for commercial cultivation. However, the micropropagation technique, especially the comprehensive evaluation of regenerants at the metabolite level, is not well known in this plant species. Employing dormant buds as explants, we developed direct and callus mediated indirect propagation protocols for this species and then evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of regenerants. The highest multiple shoot induction frequency of 100%, with a proliferation coefficient of 20.3, was achieved using Murashige and Skoog basal medium with 4.4 µM 6-benzylaminopurine and 1.1 µM 1-naphthylacetic acid. The same medium supplemented with 31.5 µM copper sulfate was optimal for callus differentiation, with a shoot regeneration rate of 81.10%. Inter-simple sequence repeat analysis showed a high genomic fidelity of in vitro regenerants. Chemical, physiological, and cytotoxic analyses indicated that in vitro propagated plants at the adult stage are indistinguishable from wild-grown plants. In particular, the cytotoxicity of V. negundo var. cannabifolia to breast cancer cell line SUM159 reveals the potential of this species for use in treating human breast cancer, with cytotoxic compounds beyond vitexin also apparently observed. Our results indicate that V. negundo var. cannabifolia can be reliably micropropagated in vitro. Moreover, the regenerants have high cytotoxic activity against highly metastatic human breast cancer. We developed efficient micropropagation protocols for Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia, and found the regenerants were consistent with wild-grown plants according to the assessments at the genomic, metabolic, physiological, and cytotoxic levels. We also found the high anticancer activity of V. negundo var. cannabifolia, and confirmed that there are other cytotoxic compounds other than vitexin.

ПОЛУЧЕНИЕ ВЫСОКОКАЧЕСТВЕННОГО ПОСАДОЧНОГО МАТЕРИАЛА ЛЕСНЫХ ЯГОДНЫХ РАСТЕНИЙ МЕТОДОМ КЛОНАЛЬНОГО МИКРОРАЗМНОЖЕНИЯ ДЛЯ РЕКУЛЬТИВАЦИИ ВЫРАБОТАННЫХ ТОРФЯНИКОВ

The results of studies on the improvement of technology for producing highquality planting material of half-high blueberry and Arctic bramble by the method of clonal micropropagation are presented in the current paper. Creation of forest berry plantations in peat extraction areas allows reducing environmental damage and significantly increasing the efficiency of the timber industry. In recent decades, there has been an increasing interest in the creation of forest berry plantations on drained and cutover peatlands in Russia and other countries. It is necessary to use varietal planting material for the successful cultivation of forest berry plants on an industrial scale. Clonal micropropagation is the most effective of the vegetative methods for obtaining planting material, which allows receiving a huge amount of healthy planting material all year round in the conditions of a small laboratory area. Chloride-free ecosterilizer and bleaching agent based on sodium hypochlorite “Belizna” with an exposure of 15 and 20 min showed high efficiency in sterilization of explants of half-high blueberry and Arctic bramble. The highest viability of explants of the studied forest berry crops was observed when sterilized with a 0.1 % mercuric chloride solution and 15 min exposure, and its sharp decrease at 20 min exposure. At the stage of micropropagation, with an increase in the concentration of cytokinin 6-BAP from 0.5 to 1.0 mg/L on the nutrient Woody Plant Medium the number of shoots in regenerated plants of half-high blueberry (Northcountry and Northblue cultivars) and Arctic bramble (Anna and Sofia cultivars) increased. The effect of the concentration of IBA-derived auxin on the number and length of roots of regenerated plants was observed at the in vitro rooting stage.

In vitro responses of Areca catechu immature embryos on medium containing plant growth regulators

Betel (Pinang) nuts are used as herbs, traditional medicine, and in the beverage industry. Planting materials for Areca nut cultivation are seeds. However, the presence of 2 – 3 months dormancy hampers germination of Areca nut seeds. Therefore, developing alternative strategies to overcome such problems is necessary. This study evaluates Areca nut immature embryo in vitro responses on MS medium having various plant growth regulators. The experiments were set up using a single factor in a complete randomized design. The embryos were planted either on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (MS0), MS with a combination of BAP (1 ppm) and NAA (0.1 ppm), or MS medium supplemented with GA3 (3 ppm). Areca nut immature embryos planted on a medium containing BAP (1 ppm) and NAA (0.1 ppm) than that on a medium containing GA3 (3 ppm). The germinated embryos were best on medium supplemented with a combination of BAP (1 ppm) and NAA (0.1 ppm). Immature Areca nut embryos planted on MS0 medium were unable to grow. In conclusion, Areca nut immature embryos may be used as explants for this palm tree’s micropropagation, and the embryos germinated well on a medium containing BAP and NAA.

Alterations in Microrhizome Induction, Shoot Multiplication and Rooting of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) var. Bentong with Regards to Sucrose and Plant Growth Regulators Application

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) var. Bentong is a monocotyledon plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. Bentong ginger is the most popular cultivar of ginger in Malaysia, which is conventionally propagated by its rhizome. As its rhizomes are the economic part of the plant, the allocation of a large amount of rhizomes as planting materials increases agricultural input cost. Simultaneously, the rhizomes’ availability as planting materials is restricted due to the high demand for fresh rhizomes in the market. Moreover, ginger propagation using its rhizome is accompanied by several types of soil-borne diseases. Plant tissue culture techniques have been applied to produce disease-free planting materials of ginger to overcome these problems. Hence, the in vitro-induced microrhizomes are considered as alternative disease-free planting materials for ginger cultivation. On the other hand, Bentong ginger has not been studied for its microrhizome induction. Therefore, this study was conducted to optimize sucrose and plant growth regulators (PGRs) for its microrhizome induction. Microrhizomes were successfully induced in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with a high sucrose concentration (&gt;45 g L−1). In addition, zeatin at 5–10 µM was found more effective for microrhizome induction than 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at a similar concentration. The addition of 7.5 µM 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) further enhanced microrhizome formation and reduced sucrose’s required dose that needs to be supplied for efficient microrhizome formation. MS medium supplemented with 60 g L−1 sucrose, 10 µM zeatin and 7.5 µM NAA was the optimum combination for the microrhizome induction of Bentong ginger. The in vitro-induced microrhizomes sprouted indoors in moist sand and all the sprouted microrhizomes were successfully established in field conditions. In conclusion, in vitro microrhizomes can be used as disease-free planting materials for the commercial cultivation of Bentong ginger.