Rooting Medium Research Articles

Bioinoculants and AM fungus colonized nursery improved management of complex root disease of Coleus forskohlii Briq. under field conditions

Nursery treatment with efficient microbial inoculants, using vermicompost as rooting medium, is not popular technique and underutilized for the management of complex root diseases (involved phyto-pathogens: Fusarium, Ralstonia and Meloidogyne) of Coleus forskohlii. To find a probable profound solution of the above problem we designed an experiment to study the potential of efficient bioinoculants and AM fungus as nursery treatment, where the vermicompost was added as rooting and microbial inoculants multiplying medium, for effective management of complex root disease of C. forskohlii for higher root yield, forskolin content and also to sustain the health of soil. Nursery (cuttings of C. forskohlii) treated with efficient microbial inoculants Pseudomonas monteilii (PM) and Glomus intraradices (GI) showed maximum control efficacy for root-rot/wilt (complex disease) of C. forskohlii and improved the growth, yield attributes and also the content of forskolin in the plants. The efficient bioinoculant P. monteilii (strain CRC1) and AM fungus (G. intraradices) thus proved to be a potent/novel antagonist and can be better utilised for biological management of complex root disease of C. forskohlii under organic field conditions.

Improvement of the rice photosynthetic apparatus defence under cadmium stress modulated by salicylic acid supply to roots

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) added to the nutrient solution on the growth parameters and the functions of the photosynthetic apparatus of rice plants under cadmium (Cd) stress. Our investigations have shown that 10 µM SA has an optimal effect in rice plants grown hydroponically. Pulse amplitude modulated chlorophyll fluorescence, low-temperature chlorophyll fluorescence, oxygen evolution (measured with Clark-type and Joliot-type electrodes) and P700 photo-oxidation measurements were carried out to assess the effect of SA on the activity of the photosynthetic apparatus. The levels of three important parameters associated with oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and proline content) were measured. The application of low concentration of SA significantly decreased the levels of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and proline under Cd stress. The results revealed that low concentration of SA, applied in plants exposed to 150 µM CdCl2, significantly improves plant growth, photochemical activities of both photosystems, the electron flow from QA to plastoquinone, energetic distribution between pigment-protein complexes and the kinetic parameters of oxygen-evolving reactions. This study suggests that exogenous application of 10 µM SA through the rooting medium has a protective effect against Cd toxicity in rice plants. The possible molecular mechanisms involved in the defence effect of SA on the function of photosynthetic apparatus are discussed.

Effect of Different Rooting Media on Root Proliferation of Taxus baccata L. Stem Cuttings

Taxus baccata L., an endangered medicinal tree is highly valued for anti-cancer drug ‘Paclitaxel’ which is extracted from its leaves and barks. Reckless exploitation and habitat destruction have greatly reduced its natural population. Its regeneration through seed is also poor, so focus has been paid on vegetative propagation by stem cuttings to augment its natural regeneration. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different rooting media on rooting behavior of Taxus baccata cuttings under poly house conditions. Effect of ten rooting media was studied on rooting of juvenile and mature stem cuttings of Taxus baccata. Six substrates i.e. field soil, forest soil, river sand, FYM, peat and vermi-compost were used for preparation of rooting media. The experiments were laid out in a randomized completely block design. The different rooting parameters were evaluated after six months of planting. The results revealed that the highest value of per cent survived, per cent callused, per cent rooted, mean number of root and mean root length was obtained in both juvenile and mature cuttings planted in Forest soil+ Peat+ FYM (1:1:1) compared to the other rooting media. Not a single cutting survived which was planted in river sand. Mature cuttings planted in Forest soil + River sand + VC (1:1:1) also failed to survive. The media containing peat as substrate significantly improved the rooting of cuttings but due to optimum physico-chemical properties, Forest soil+ Peat+ FYM (1:1:1) proved ideal rooting media for stem propagation of Taxus baccata.

Effect of Banana Homogenate on Shoot Regeneration of Ciplukan (Physalis angulata L.)

In vitro culture techniques can be used as an alternative problem solving in an effort to provide Ciplukan plant as a raw material of herbal medicine in a sustainable manner. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of banana homogenate (BH) added into culture medium on shoot regeneration of Ciplukan ( Physalis angulata L.) and plantlet development until acclimatization stage. The experimental design used was a randomized factorial group. The first factor was the two varieties of banana fruit namely, Ambon and Raja. The second factor was concentration of BH with four levels, 0 (control), 2.5%, 5% and 7.5 % and each treatment combination was repeated five times. Explant used in this research was the third node of 2 weeks old in vitro shoot after subculture to MS0 medium. Data analysis used ANOVA test. Eight week after culture (WAC) medium containing BH induced higher number of shoot compare to medium without BH. The addition of 5% BH var. Ambon had significant effect on increasing shoot number. Well rooted plantlets produced in MS0 rooting medium also showed high survival rate (66.7%< - 100%) two weeks after transferred to greenhouse. Therefore, the addition of BH into in vitro medium can be an alternative method for micropropagation of Ciplukan. Keywords: Banana homogenate, Ciplukan, micropropagation, nodal explants.

Long-term core stability training promotes recovery from lumbar disc herniation as evaluated by surface electromyography

Objective To observe the effect of core stability training on lumbar disc herniation using changes in surface-electromyography signals from the core muscles. Methods Sixty patients with lumbar disc herniation were equally divided into an experimental group who were given the core stability training in addition to their regular physical therapy and a control group given the regular physical therapy only. The total course of treatment was 8 weeks. Each patient was assessed before the experiment and after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention using the numeric rating scales of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, the Oswestry disability index and integrated electromyogram (iEMG), root mean square (RMS) and medium frequency (MF) of the electromyographic signals from the rectus abdominis, obliqus externus abdominis, erector spinae, lumbar multifidus and gluteus medius muscles. Results No significant differences between the two groups were observed in any of the measurements before or after four weeks of the treatment. After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, both groups had significant improvements in all of the measurements compared with before the experiment. Between 4 and 8 weeks the experimental group showed significant improvement in all of the measurements which was not matched in the control group. By the end of the treatment, all of the measurements of the experimental group were, on average, significantly better than those of the control group. Conclusions Both core stability training and regular physical therapy have similar effects on patients with lumbar disc herniation in the short term. However, continued core stability training improves the ability of core muscles and relieves pain and dysfunction better than prolonged regular physical therapy. Key words: Lumbar disc herniation; Core muscles; Core stability training; Surface electromyography

Enhanced resistance to citrus canker in transgenic mandarin expressing Xa21 from rice.

Genetic engineering approaches offer an alternative method to the conventional breeding of Citrus sp. 'W. Murcott' mandarin (a hybrid of 'Murcott' and an unknown pollen parent) is one of the most commercially important cultivars grown in many regions around the world. Transformation of 'W. Murcott' mandarin was achieved by direct DNA uptake using a protoplast transformation system. DNA construct (pAO3), encoding Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and the cDNA of Xa21, a Xanthomonas resistance gene from rice, was used to transform protoplasts of 'W. Murcott' mandarin. Following citrus protoplast culture and regeneration, transformed micro calli were microscopically designated via GFP expression, physically isolated from non-transformed tissue, and cultured on somatic embryogenesis induction medium. More than 150 transgenic embryos were recovered and from them, ten transgenic lines were regenerated and cultured on rooting medium for shoot elongation. Transgenic shoots were micrografted and established in the greenhouse with 3-5 replicates per line. The insertion of Xa21 and GFP was confirmed by PCR and southern blot analysis. GFP expression was verified by fluorescence microscopy and western blot analysis revealed expression of Xa21 although it was variable among transgenic lines, as shown by RT-qPCR. Transgenic plants challenged with the citrus canker pathogen by syringe inoculation showed a reduction in lesion number and bacterial populations within lesions compared to non-transgenic control plants. Transgenic 'W. Murcott' mandarin lines with improved canker resistance via protoplast transformation from embryogenic callus with the Xa21 gene from rice are being evaluated under field conditions to validate the level of resistance.

Caracterización de la capa híbrida en dentina intraradicular pretratada con hipoclorito de sodio al 5,25% usando dos agentes cementantes con sistemas adhesivos de auto y grabado convencional

Introducción y objetivo: En la actualidad, la rehabilitación de dientes tratados endodónticamente representa una gran demanda para el ejercicio profesional del rehabilitador oral. Por esta razón, surge la necesidad de identificar y manejar los procesos básicos y los determinantes biológicos que influencian un buen proceso de adhesión dentinal. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar la capa híbrida en dentina intraradicular pretratada con hipoclorito de sodio (NaClO) al 5,25% usando dos agentes cementantes con sistemas adhesivos de auto y grabado convencional. Materiales y métodos: Se seleccionaron 40 dientes premolares unirradiculares que fueron distribuidos aleatoriamente en 4 grupos. Grupo A (dentina pretratada con NaClO al 5,25% y cementado con cemento Relyx® Ultimate (3M), grupo B(control del grupo A, sin pretratamiento de dentina); grupo C (dentina pretratadacon NaClO al 5,25% y cementado con cemento para Core®) y grupo D: Control del grupo C, sin pretratamiento de dentina. Los dientes fueron seccionados transversalmente y se analizó la presencia de capa híbrida enlos tercios cervical y medio radicular a través de microscopia electrónica de barrido. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el grosor de la capa híbrida de dientes pretratados con NaClOal 5,25% y cementados con paraCore® en comparación a los cementados con Relyx® ultimate valor p = 0,023 para la prueba de Anova.

Triploid plant regeneration from immature endosperms of Melia azedazach

Melia azedazach, a plant for forestation, is popular in many countries. Development of triploid M. azedazach varieties will provide additional advantages, such as faster growth, higher biomass, and; therefore, increased productivity. In this study, we aimed to develop triploid M. azedarach L. by immature endosperm tissue culture. After 22 days of initiation of cultures, calli of the endosperm were visible. After 50 days cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l NAA and 1.0 mg/l BAP, maximum of callus induction rate from the immature endosperm with seed coat was obtained at 55.9%. The highest frequency of shoot induction from endosperm-derived callus was 98% and average of 16.7 shoots per explant on the medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA after 42 days. A single shoot was detached from the multi-shoots and transferred to the rooting medium supplemented with 0.5 mg IBA, inducing root formation with 96.6% and with average of 5.8 roots per plantlet after 28 days. The plantlets transferred to polythene hycotrays containing soil and sand (mixture 1:1) in greenhouse showed 100% survival after transplantation. The endosperm-derived plantlets were 100% triploids as evidenced by flow cytometry analysis. Creating triploid M. azedazach plants by regenerating directly from endosperm (3n) described in this work required only 5 months whereas the traditional method of generating triploids through crossing between tetraploid (4n) and diploid (2n) plants could take up to 12 years.

Biochar amendment changes jasmonic acid levels in two rice varieties and alters their resistance to herbivory

Biochar addition to soil not only sequesters carbon for the long-term but enhances agricultural productivity. Several well-known benefits arise from biochar amendment, including constant provision of nutrients, increased soil moisture retention, decreased soil bulk density, and sometimes the induction of systemic resistance against foliar and soil borne plant pathogens. However, no research has investigated the potential of biochar to increase resistance against herbivory. The white-backed plant hopper (WBPH) (Sogatella furcifera Horváth) is a serious agricultural pest that targets rice (Oryza sativa L.), a staple crop that feeds half of the world’s human population. Therefore, we investigated the (1) optimization of biochar amendment levels for two rice varieties (‘Cheongcheong’ and ‘Nagdong’) and (2) subsequent effects of different biochar amendments on resistance and susceptibility of these two varieties to WBPH infestation. Initial screening results for the optimization level revealed that the application of biochar 10% (w/w) to the rooting media significantly improved plant physiological characteristics of both rice varieties. However, levels of biochar amendment, mainly 1, 2, 3, and 20%, resulted in negative effects on plant growth characteristics. Cheongcheong and Nagdong rice plants grown with the optimum biochar level showed contrasting reactions to WBPH infestation. Specifically, biochar application significantly increased plant growth characteristics of Nagdong when exposed to WBPH infestation and significantly decreased these characteristics in Cheongcheong. The amount of WBPH-induced damage to plants was significantly lower and higher in Nagdong and Cheongcheong, respectively, compared to that in the controls. Higher levels of jasmonic acid caused by the biochar priming effect could have accumulated in response to WBPH infestation, resulting in a maladaptive response to stress, negatively affecting growth and resistance to WBPH in Cheongcheong. This study highlights the importance of investigating the effects of biochar on different rice varieties before application on a commercial scale to avoid potential crop losses.

Effect of Phloroglycinol and Different Planting Media on Rooting and Acclimatization Plantlets of Date Palm cv. Zaghloul

Date palm plantlets cv. Zaghloul derived from somatic embryogenesis were used to investigate factors affecting rooting and subsequent survival in acclimatization. Rooting formation was affected by phloroglcionl (PG) level (20, 40 and 80 per liter) added to rooting medium. Rooting medium supplemented with 40 mg/1 PG was statistically the superior and exhibited the tallest and greatest numbers of rootlets per each plantlet in addition 20 mg/l PG was statistically more effective as compared to either control medium or medium provided with 80 mg/1 PG. Plantlets were transferred to greenhouse to study the effect of different mixtures of media on survival percentage the most suitable mixtures were peatmoss sand at (3:1v:v); peatmoss sand vermiculit perlite at (1:1:1:1 v:v); and peatmoss perlite vermiculite (1:1:1v:v) as they exhibited 100 %,75% and 75% survival planlets (respectively) after three months of ex vitro acclimatization. The reverse was true with both peatmoss sand (1:3 v:v) and peatmoss perlite at 1:1 v:v where each one resulted the least survival percentage (25%). In addition the peatmoss sand mixture at equal proportion 1:1 by volume was in between the aforesaid two extremes 50% after three months of ex vitro acclimatization.

English

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different growth media on rooting of stem cuttings of hybrid coffee varieties. The experiment was conducted on-station under a shade house at Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) from October 2013 to February 2014 using a split plot experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The main factor consisted of five hybrid coffee varieties (KP423-1, KP423-2, N39-3, N39-2 and N39-7) and the sub-factor consisted of five types of rooting media (red soil, peat moss, decomposed saw dust, rice husk and forest soil + fine sand 2:1 (v/v) as a control). The stem cuttings were planted in each type of the media and four months after planting, the cuttings were evaluated based on number of rooted cuttings, total number of roots per cutting, number of lateral roots per cutting and root length. The data were subjected to analysis of variance using CoStat software and treatment means were separated based on Tukey’s test at P ≤ 0.05. Results indicate that coffee varieties N39-2 and N39-3 produced the highest rooted stem cuttings of 64.2 and 63.9% respectively. Results also show that red soil media provided the highest rooted stem cuttings of 77.9% followed by sawdust with 68.0%. It is recommended that propagators should use red soil as a rooting media for improving rooting percentage of stem cuttings from improved coffee varieties. Further studies are required to improve chemical and physical properties of red soil media. Key words: Hybrid coffee, mass multiplication, propagation, rooting media, stem cuttings.

Humic acids decrease uptake and distribution of trace metals, but not the growth of radish exposed to cadmium toxicity

Naturally-occurring highly-complexed and polymerised organics such as humic acids (HA), due to their large negative charge, play a crucial role in biogeochemistry of trace metals (TM). Toxic (Cd) as well as essential (Zn, Cu, Mn) TM bind strongly to HA, but how these organo-metalic forms influence metal uptake by plants is poorly understood. A solution culture study was conducted to characterize the effects of different concentrations of HA (0–225mg/L) on the growth and element uptake/distribution in roots, shoots and hypocotyls of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) exposed to Cd (0.5mg/L) contamination. After 10-d-exposure to applied treatments, Cd induced phytotoxicity; in contrast, different concentrations of HA had no influence on biomass, but decreased concentration of most TM in examined tissues (Cu by 4.2-fold, Zn by 2.2-fold, Cd by 1.6-fold and Mn by 34%) and their total plant accumulation (Cu by 73%, Cd by 39%, Zn by 29% and Mn by 22%). HA influenced the transport/distribution of TM, decreasing accumulation in roots and increasing their translocation/deposition in shoots, with no effect on TM content in edible hypocotyls. Chemical speciation modelling of the rooting medium confirmed predominance of free metallic forms in the control (no HA) and the pronounced organo-metal complexation in the HA treatments. The results provide evidence of strong capacity of HA to decrease phytoavailability and uptake of Cd, Zn, Cu and Mn while being non-toxic even at relatively high concentration (225mg/L). Thus, HA, as naturally present soil components, control mobility and phyto-extraction of most TM as well as their phyto-accumulation.

Накопление и распределение цитокининов в тканях растений пшеницы при введении в корнеобитаемую среду зеатина, зеатинрибозида и протонофора.

Накопление и распределение цитокининов в тканях растений пшеницы при введении в корнеобитаемую среду зеатина, зеатинрибозида и протонофора.

Effects of Planting Time, Irrigation System, Rooting Medium, and IBA Concentration on Cutting Propagation of the Persimmon Dwarfing Rootstock ‘MKR1’

Effects of Planting Time, Irrigation System, Rooting Medium, and IBA Concentration on Cutting Propagation of the Persimmon Dwarfing Rootstock ‘MKR1’

Effects of Different Light Qualities--LED on Apple Root-Stock JM7 Tissue Culture Seedling

Used apple root-stock JM7 stem-tips as material to study different LED influence of different stages of tissue culture. The results showed that in the culture medium (bud induction medium LS + 4.0mg/L 6-BA + 0.2 mg/L NAA, proliferation medium LS + 2.5mg/L 6-BA + 0.1mg/L NAA , rooting medium 1/2 LS + 0.5mg/L NAA + 1.0mg/L IAA), with 30g/L sugar and 9g/L agar, pH 5.8, autoclave 121°C, 20 minuets. At the same culture conditions, 21±1°C temperature, 12 hours of light, 12 hours of dark and same illumination time. The LED treatments were better than the fluorescent light of the germination; LED r/b ratio 5:5, was the best on germination effect, the height of seedling was 1.84cm and 10 leaves on 50 days of cultivation; LED r/b ratio 6:4, was the best on the proliferation stage and rooting effect stage, the height of seedling was 4.15cm on 45 days of proliferation and the main-root length was 5.97cm, and the height of seedling was 6.38cm on 45 days of rooting stage; followed by LED r/b 7:3 and 5:5. In conclusion LED treatments were advantageous to the germination, seedling differentiation and rooting of apple root-stock JM7 tissue culture, better than fluorescent lamp group. It could get more quantities and stronger plants in the same culture conditions, also saved the culture time. LED was cold light source, it could produce less excess heat and truly reflects the feature of power-saving effectively. So it was reduced of the tissue culture production in a certain extent.

The ameliorative effects of exogenously applied proline on physiological and biochemical parameters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop under copper stress condition

ABSTRACTThe presence of significant amount of heavy metals in rivers and canals due to mixing of untreated industrial effluents is a common phenomenon, especially in developing countries. The agricultural crops are influenced by the presence of various pollutants in the sewage, being applied for irrigation purpose. The effluents containing copper affect the growth and development of crop species, thereby, ought to be mitigated by foliar spray of osmoprotectants, e.g. proline. A pot culture experiment was conducted at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-Pakistan during the crop season 2015–2016. The treatments consisted of (a) three wheat varieties (Punjab-96, MH-97, FSD-83), (b) two levels of copper (0, 400 µM) applied through rooting medium, and (c) two levels of proline (0, 80 mM) applied through foliar application. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. The results showed that application of 400 µM copper caused a reduction in biomass accumulation, chlorophyll (‘a’ and ‘b’) contents, and eventually yield (100-grain weight). There were also significant decreases in gas exchange parameters (stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration), photosynthetic rate, water-use-efficiency, and transpiration rate in response to copper stress. Metal toxicity caused the maximum reduction in productivity of PSII, electron transport rate, and photochemical quenching, while higher values of non-photochemical quenching were recorded in the wheat varieties. The activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase), as well as quantities of proline, protein and calcium contents were accelerated in response to copper stress. The uptake of calcium, magnesium, and potassium constituents by plants was reduced, while assimilation of calcium was increased in plants under copper stress. However, the occurrence of negative effects on these parameters due to copper stress was mitigated by foliar spray of proline at the rate of 80 mM solution. The exogenous application of proline at the rate of 80 mM resulted in the reduction of generation of reactive oxygen species and enhanced accumulation of proline and protein contents in wheat varieties under copper stress environment.

Screening for Resistance Mechanisms in Cowpea Genotypes on &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Alectra vogelii&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;

Parasitic angiosperm Alectra vogelii Benth is a growing problem in Malawi, particularly with current emphasis on legumes. Therefore, two studies were set in order to understand the possible mechanisms of resistance in cowpea genotypes on their reaction to the parasitic weed. In the first experiment, Mkanakaufiti, IT99K-7-21-2-2XIT82E-16, Sudan 1 and IT82E-16 were grown in Alectra infested and non-infested pots. The experiment (2*4 factorial treatment combination) was arranged in an RCBD and replicated eight times. The second experiment, involved Petri-dish techniques where 4 genotype roots were assessed on their ability to stimulate the germination of A. vogelii as a proxy for germination stimulant production. The experiment was arranged in an RCBD and replicated five times. In the first experiment, data was collected on; the number of days to first Alectra emergence, Alectra shoot counts at 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after planting (WAP), Alectra attachment at 5 and 12 WAP, Alectra biomass at 12 WAP, cowpea biomass parameters at 5 and 12 WAP, yield and yield components per pot. While in the second experiment, number of germinated Alectra seeds per Petri dishes was recorded. The results indicated that IT82E-16 (33.25 days) and Sudan 1 (34.25 days) were earlier infested whilst late on IT99K-7-21-2-2XIT82E-16 (38 days) which correlated to the number of Alectra attachments. There were significant differences (p = 0.05) in weekly Alectra counts between cowpea varieties from 6 up to 10 WAP. Mkanakaufiti and IT99K-7-21-2-2XIT82E-16 were observed with no and few Alectra shoots infestation respectively which was an indicator of resistance mechanism in the study. Number of pods, grain weight (g) and harvest index per pot were significantly affected by inoculation protocol with lower yield on infested cowpea genotypes. The same trend was observed on cowpea varieties where Mkanakaufiti (21.9 g/pot) shown higher yield followed by IT82E-16 (12.5 g/pot) which is susceptible but with tolerance ability to the parasitic weed. The study has shown that resistance mechanisms can be categorized as no or few Alectra shoots, death of Alectra shoots and late infestation. In the Petri dishes, only 3 WAP grown Mkanakaufiti root media failed to induce the germination of Alectra seeds while the opposite occurred on IT82E-16, Sudan 1 and IT99K-7-21-2-2XIT82E-16. On the contrary, 4 WAP grown root media of the four genotypes stimulated Alectra germination which shed more light on the seed behaviour in the soil. This is worth exploring as more could be known to what causes termination of Alectra shoots on Mkanakaufiti. Still, intensifying resistant genotypes should be a goal in order to reduce Alectra seed banks in the soil, thereby, increasing cowpea yield.

Evaluation of the antioxidant potential of in vitro propagated hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) with different plant growth regulators

An efficient method for the micro propagation of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) has been developed. The plants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 6-benzyl-aminopurine, thidiazuron, zeatin and indole-3butyric acid after four weeks of culture. Maximum numbers of shoots, shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight were established at 1.0 mg/L 6-benzyl-aminopurine and 0.1 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid. For induction of root, uniform micro shoots were excised and transferred to the rooting medium (half strength Murashige and Skoog medium macro and microelements) supplemented with 0.1 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid and 20 g/L sucrose. Indole-3-butyric acid increased culture rooting, number of roots and root length more efficiently at 0.1 mg/L after four weeks of culture. The multiple plants were successfully ex vitro adapted with 90% survival. The described protocol allows the establishment of numerous micro propagated plants of H. officinalis. The used growth regulators for hyssop micro propagation influenced plant antioxidant system. Antioxidant defence of micropropagated H. officinalis determined by the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and guaiacol peroxidase) resulted in higher shoot formation and increasing of shoot number per explant.

Role of Phytohormones and PGR's in Micropropagation of Anethum graveolens L. through Axillary Shoots and Evaluation of NaCl effect on Growth Parameters

An In vitro protocol is standardized for rapid in vitro propagation of Anethum graveolens through enhanced axillary shoot induction and optimization of role of BAP on shoot proliferation. MS basal medium augmented with various hormones (BA, NAA, KIN, and IBA) was used for multiple shoot development and rhizogenic response. The influence of various concentrations of NaCl was also observed on plant growth and morphological parameters. MS media fortified with BA (0.5–1.5) singly was induce axillary bud proliferation and in combination with NAA (0.1–0.25 mg L−1) and KIN (0.25–0.50 mg L−1), it was able to induce multiple shoots. BA at 1.0 mg L−1, KIN 0.5 mg L−1 and NAA 0.25 mg L−1 induced optimum number of multiple shoots (11.00 ± 0.379). The maximum frequency of rooting 83% with 3.67 ± 0.66 roots per explants was recorded on half strength MS medium supplemented with 1/2 MS + IBA 1.0 mg L−1 within 4 weeks of transfer of the shoots to the rooting medium. Hardening was successfully attained under partially controlled conditions inside the hardening room. The method could effectively used for conservation and clonal propagation to meet the pharmaceutical demands of this medicinally important plant species.

Development of a simple and genotype independent in vitro regeneration system in Sugarcane [Saccharum spp] using shoot apex explants

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp) is commercially cultivated in Tamil Nadu for industrial purposes. Germplasm of this crop is mainly conserved in the form of clonal gene bank. For long term conservation of vegetatively propagated crops, cryo-preservation offers a promising approach which could be realized through a reliable and genotype independent tissue culture system. In the present study, two sugarcane genotypes namely Co 86032 and TN SC Si 7 were evaluated for their in vitro regeneration response through optimization of various factors influencing organogenesis. The results indicated that shoot apices explants inoculated on medium supplemented with 0.25 mg/l BAP + 5.0 mg/l kinetin + 0.05 mg/l NAA recorded highest shoot induction frequencies of 92.2% and 84.4% for Co 86032 and TN SC Si 7 respectively. On an average, 6 to 8 shoots were formed per explant. After 60 days of culture, single shoots were separated from the multiple shoots and transferred to the rooting medium. Among the different media tested, highest regeneration frequencies of 63.3% (Co 86032) and 56.6% (TN Sc Si 7) were found on medium supplemented with 5 mg/l NAA. Thus, a simple and genotype independent in vitro regeneration system was developed which could be well adopted for conservation of sugarcane germplasm in the cryo gene bank.