Large scale in vitro propagation of Stevia rebaudiana (bert) for commercial application: Pharmaceutically important and antidiabetic medicinal herb

Stevia rebaudiana is a valuable medicinal plant species and it is being used for the treatment of diabetes. Currently, there is a high demand for raw material of this medicinal herb due to ever increasing diabetes disorder among the population. In order to meet the increased demand an efficient in vitro propagation of S. rebaudiana was established. Nodal explants collected from the field were cultured on MS basal medium fortified with different concentrations of BAP (0.5-3.0 mg/l) and KIN (0.5-3.0 mg/l) individually for shoot bud induction. In vitro derived nodal buds were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.5-3.0 mg/l) of BAP and KIN for multiple shoot bud regeneration. In the second experiment, in vitro derived buds were placed on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (0.5-3.0 mg/l) in combination with 0.5 mg/l IAA or IBA or NAA for shoot bud multiplication. The highest frequency (94.50%) of multiple shoot regeneration with maximum number of shoots (15.69 shoots/explant) was noticed on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP. For large scale plant production, in vitro derived nodal bud explants were cultured on MS medium fortified with 1.0 mg/l BAP, in which about 123 shoots/explant were obtained after three subcultures on the same media composition. Elongated shoots (>2 cm) dissected out from the in vitro proliferated shoot clumps were cultured on half-strength MS medium containing different concentrations of NAA (0.1-0.5 mg/l) and/or MS medium fortified with various concentrations (0.5-2.0 mg/l) of auxins (NAA, IAA and IBA) for root induction. Highest frequency of rooting (96%) was noticed on half-strength MS medium augmented with 0.4 mg/l NAA. The rooted plantlets were successfully transferred into plastic cups containing sand and soil in the ratio of 1:2 and subsequently established in the greenhouse. The present in vitro propagation protocol would facilitate an alternative method for rapid and large-scale production of this important antidiabetic medicinal plant.     

Screening and quantification of an antiseptic alkylamide, spilanthol from in vitro cell and tissue cultures of Spilanthes acmella Murr.

The study revealed, for the first time, accumulation of spilanthol, an antiseptic alkylamide, in in vitro cultures of Spilanthes acmella Murr., a medicinal plant of immense commercial value. To achieve this, in vitro shoots were regenerated via direct organogenesis from leaf-disc explants of Spilanthes. Shoots were induced in the presence of N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP) alone or in combination with either α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) or Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in Murashige and Skoog medium. The best treatment for shoot regeneration was MS + BAP (5.0 μM) + IAA (5.0 μM), which promoted adventitious shoot proliferation in >82% cultures with an average of 5.3 shoots per explant. Regenerated shoots rooted spontaneously with a frequency of 100% on half strength MS medium (major salts reduced to half strength) containing 50 g l⁻¹ sucrose. The plantlets were acclimatized successfully with 90% survival rate. Additionally, ploidy stability of the regenerated plants was assessed by flow cytometry which showed that all investigated plants had the similar ploidy as that of the mother plant. For spilanthol identification, peaks eluted from HPLC were analyzed by mass spectrometry with its characteristic fragmentation pattern. For quantification studies, calibration curve was generated, which revealed a higher amount of spilanthol content (3294.36 ± 12.4 μg/g DW) in the leaves of in vitro plants compare to those of in vivo plants (2703.66 ± 9.6 μg/g DW of spilanthol). An efficient multiplication frequency, ploidy stability and enhanced spilanthol accumulation ensure the efficacy of the protocol developed for this industrially important medicinal plant.     

In vitro regeneration from petiole explants of non-toxic Jatropha curcas

Jatropha curcas, a multipurpose shrub has acquired significant economic potential as biodiesel plant. The seeds or pressed cake is toxic due to the presence of toxic substances and is not useful as food/fodder despite having the best protein composition. A simple, efficient, and reproducible method for plant regeneration through direct organogenesis from petiole explants of non-toxic J. curcas was developed using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ). The best induction of shoot buds (57.61%), and number of shoot buds (4.98) per explant were obtained when in vitro petiole explants were placed horizontally on MS medium supplemented with 2.27 μM TDZ. The Induced shoot buds were transferred to MS medium containing 10 μM kinetin (Kn), 4.5 μM 6-benzyl aminopurine (BA), and 5.5 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for shoot proliferation and subsequent elongation was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 2.25 μM BA and 8.5 μM IAA. The elongated shoots could be rooted on half-strength MS medium with 15 μM IBA, 11.4 μM IAA and 5.5 μM NAA with more than 90% survival rate.     

In vitro propagation and regeneration of an industrial plant kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.)

The present study report a protocol for the efficient in vitro propagation of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L., an industrial crop having high cellulosic fiber content) on hormone free MS medium using the shoot apex and nodal explants. Shoot tips and nodes were isolated from 15 days old seedlings cultivated on MS medium. Different combinations and concentrations of auxin/cytokinin were used and added to the MS medium to assess the shoot and root induction of theses explants. Several subcultures were drived in order to enhance the multiplication rate. Healthy and well developed in vitro propagated shoots were transferred for acclimatization under greenhouse conditions in pots filled with different substrates (sand + compost or perlite). Our results showed that shoots could elongate and root within 4-6 weeks on MS basal medium without any callus formation. However, addition of growth regulators to the MS medium leaded to a decrease in shoot and root induction rates. Indeed, the highest shoot regeneration frequency (90.5%) was obtained on MS control medium. Elongated shoots were transferred onto the same hormone free MS medium using five subcultures where the multiplication rate reached the highest value (3.66) at the fifth and last step. The in vitro rooted plantlets were acclimatized in greenhouse and successfully transplanted to natural conditions with 70% survival.     

Mass multiplication of Bixa orellana L. through tissue culture for commercial propagation

To reduce the time period for in vitro regeneration in annatto (Bixa orellana L.), a highly efficient two-stage plant regeneration protocol had been developed that can be used commercially. Different types of explants: nodal shoot tips, shoot tips and single nodes from in vitro grown seedlings were inoculated onto the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators. Highest number of shoot buds was obtained when nodal shoot tip explants were inoculated onto MS medium supplemented with 31.1 μM N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) and 14.7 μM phenylacetic acid (PAA). PAA in combination with BA exhibited a synergistic effect on shoot multiplication and elongation. Sub-culturing of the shoots onto the MS medium supplemented with BA (13.3 μM) and PAA (7.3 μM) produced elongated shoots. Elongated shoots when inoculated onto the MS medium supplemented with 4.9 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) produced optimal rooting. The rooted plantlets were hardened and their field survival rate after 6 weeks time was 73%.     

In vitro plant regeneration from decapitated embryonic axes of Clitoria ternatea L.—An important medicinal plant

In vitro clonal propagation of Clitoria ternatea has been achieved by employing decapitated embryonic axes (DEAs) explants. The explants induced multiple shoots on cytokinin-containing medium. Several cytokinins [6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 6-furfuryl aminopurine (KIN) and thidiazuron (TDZ)] were assayed. The best response was achieved with 2 mg l⁻¹ BAP in which 100% of cultures produced 6.0 ± 0.14 shoots per explant. MS + 1 mg l⁻¹ gibberellic acid (GA₃) was the most suitable for shoot elongation. Regenerated shoots were rooted in half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.2 mg l⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Plantlets were successfully acclimatized and established in soil, and they were morphologically indistinguishable from the source plant. The plantlets attained maturity and flowered normally. The efficient regeneration protocol reported here provides an important method of micropropagation of this plant. Furthermore, this protocol may be used for genetic transformation of this valuable medicinal plant for its further improvement.     

Growth optimization and organogenesis of Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hook f. in vitro

Regeneration potentials in Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hook f. from tissues culture system was studied using leaf, petiole and root explants. In vitro regeneration, callus induction and root formation were optimized by manipulation of growth regulators during organogenesis. Various kinds of plant growth regulators such as 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), alpha-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), Indole-3-Butyric acid (IBA), N6-[2-Isopentenyl]adenine (2iP), Kinetin and Zeatin were used to initiate cultures. These plant growth regulators were added to Murashige and Skoog medium in different combinations and concentrations. Adventitious shoots were obtained from petiole explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L(-1) BAP and 0.5 mg L(-1) NAA. Effectiveness of shoot regeneration medium, type of growth regulator used and duration of induction period were investigated. Leaf explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L(-1) BAP and 2.0 mg L(-1) 2, 4-D showed the best results for callus induction. Root explants were found to be non-regenerative in all experiments conducted. Petiole segment was identified as the best explant for regeneration of this species. Regenerated plants were rooted on Murashige and Skoog basal medium. Plantlets were then transferred to field with 75% survival rate.     

Regeneration in Jatropha curcas: Factors affecting the efficiency of in vitro regeneration

Factors influencing in vitro regeneration through direct shoot bud induction from hypocotyl explants of Jatropha curcas were studied in the present investigation. Regeneration in J. curcas was found to be genotype dependent and out of four toxic and one non-toxic genotype studied, non-toxic was least responsive. The best results irrespective of genotype were obtained on the medium containing 0.5 mg L⁻¹ TDZ (Thidiazuron) and in vitro hypocotyl explants were observed to have higher regeneration efficiency as compared to ex vitro explant in both toxic and non-toxic genotypes. Adventitious shoot buds could be induced from the distal end of explants in all the genotypes. The number of shoot buds formed and not the number of explants responding to TDZ treatment were significantly affected by the position of the explant on the seedling axis. Explants from younger seedlings (≤15 days) were still juvenile and formed callus easily, whereas the regeneration response declined with increase in age of seedlings after 30 days. Transient reduction of Ca²⁺ concentrations to 0.22 g L⁻¹ in the germination medium increased the number of responding explants.Induced shoot buds, upon transfer to MS medium containing 2 mg L⁻¹ Kn (Kinetin) and 1 mg L⁻¹ BAP (6-benzylamino purine) elongated. These elongated shoots were further proliferated on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L⁻¹ IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and 0.5 mg L⁻¹ BAP and 3.01-3.91 cm elongation was achieved after 6 weeks. No genotype specific variance in shoot elongation was observed among the toxic genotypes except the CSMCRI-JC2, which showed reduced response. And for proliferation among the toxic genotypes, CSMCRI-JC4 showed highest number of shoots formed. Among the rest, no significant differences were observed. The elongated shoot could be rooted by pulse treatment on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, 3 mg L⁻¹ IBA (indole-3-butyric acid), 1 mg L⁻¹ IAA, 1 mg L⁻¹ NAA (α-naphthalene acetic acid) and subsequent transfer on 0.25 mg L⁻¹ activated charcoal medium. The rooted plants could be established in soil with more than 90% success. No significant differences were observed in rooting of shoots in the different toxic genotypes. However, rooting response was reduced in non-toxic genotype as compared to toxic genotypes.     

神农香菊丛生芽的诱导及植株再生

以神农香菊茎段为外植体,研究植物生长调节剂及活性炭(AC)对神农香菊丛生芽诱导的影响,以建立神农香菊丛生芽诱导及植株再生的高频再生体系。结果表明,丛生芽诱导的最适培养基为MS+2.0 mg/L 6-BA+0.05 mg/L NAA,最适增殖培养基为MS+2.0 mg/L 6-BA+0.05 mg/L NAA+0.05 g/L AC,增殖系数为45.3,添加AC可有效促进玻璃化苗恢复;生根诱导的最适培养基为不添加任何生长调节剂的1/2MS,生根率高达100%;将生长良好的再生植株进行移栽,存活率可达100%。     

Morphogenic Response of Leaf and Petiole Explants of Broccoli Using Thidiazuron

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is an important nutritionally rich vegetable cole crop grown in the world. Environmental stress, pests, and diseases cause enormous yield losses because of a limited gene pool. Genetic manipulation is becoming an important method for broccoli improvement. The objective of present study was to evaluate the potency of thidiazuron (TDZ) as a plant growth regulator in evoking morphogenic responses in leaf and petiole explants of broccoli. An efficient, reproducible, and high frequency plant regeneration protocol has been standardized in broccoli cv. Solan green head. Leaf and petiole explants were cultured on Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium, supplemented with a wide range of TDZ concentrations. The following treatments were designed for efficient in vitro shoot regeneration: TDZ alone, TDZ with adenine, TDZ with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and TDZ with indole acetic acid (IAA). Among the 36 combinations of growth regulators used, the highest percentage of leaf explants producing shoot (89.25%) was recorded on MS medium containing 1.0 μM TDZ and 0.107 μM NAA. The multiple shoot regeneration response of petiole explant producing shoots (91.55%) was obtained on MS medium containing 2.0 μM TDZ and 0.107 μM NAA. Shoot multiplication and elongation were obtained on the same medium. For root regeneration in in vitro regenerated shoots, different concentrations of NAA were applied. High frequency (100%) root regeneration response with healthy and vigorous roots was observed on MS medium supplemented with 0.54 μM NAA. The regenerated plantlets with well-developed shoots and root system were transferred to pots containing cocopeat and successfully acclimatized. We recommend 1.0 μM TDZ with 0.107 μM NAA and 2.0 μM TDZ and 0.107 μM NAA combinations for adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf and petiole explants in broccoli cv. Solan green head respectively. This is the first report on high frequency organogenesis from leaf and petiole explants of broccoli cv. Solan green head using thidiazuron.     

Mycorrhizal fungi and growth and development of micropropagated Scutellaria integrifolia plants

Scutellaria species have been used in many traditional medical systems and is well known among the Native American tribes as a strong emmenagogue and as a female medicinal herb. The inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) into the roots of micropropagated plantlets could help not only mass propagate these species, but also help grow in marginal, phosphorus deficient soils. Leaves, shoot apices, and nodal segments from wild as well as from greenhouse-grown plants were used to initiate cultures in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with cytokinins benzyladenine (BA), kinetin, thidiazuron (TDZ), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and indole butyric acid (IBA) Among all the explants tested for shoot bud induction, only shoot tips and nodal explants were responsive. Explants swelled and became rough on the surface at the end of 3-week incubation with many green shoot buds. Two to 3 weeks after transfering to rooting media with or without IBA, all shoots developed roots. In vitro raised plants were acclimatized in a mist chamber and transferred to 6-l containers in the greenhouse to study the role of AMF on plant growth and development. Inoculation with AMF, showed positive effects on plant growth, particularly root development compared with the control plants. Among the five AMF strains tested, S3004 increased plant height and fresh weights of shoot, root, and seed.     

Micropropagation of switchgrass by node culture

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is naturally outcrossing; therefore, maintenance of genotype is difficult through sexual propagation. The objective of this study was to develop a micropropagation procedure for the multiplication of desired or selected genotypes. Nodal segments were surface sterilized, split longitudinally, and placed with the cut surface on solid MS medium containing 30 g L-1 maltose and different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) as the only growth regulator. Best shoot proliferation was obtained with 12.5 micromoles BAP and culture at 29 degrees C. Shoots were easily rooted on MS medium without BAP. Under optimum conditions, it is possible to produce approximately 500 plantlets from one parent plant in 12 wk.     

Regulation of tissue differentiation by plant growth regulators on tTCLs of Panax ginseng adventitious roots

Differentiated tissue in Panax ginseng cultures was found to be very efficacious for saponin production. In order to increase the yield of saponins and preserve culture stability we were testing different plant growth regulators (PGR) and auxin/cytokinin combinations to regulate a level of tissue differentiation. For this purpose we used transverse thin cell layers (tTCLs) of adventitious roots of Panax ginseng. Adventitious roots were cultivated in Shenk and Hildebrand (SH) liquid medium supplemented with IBA (24.6 μM). Callus formation and root multiplication of adventitious root tTCLs was evaluated after 4 and following 12 weeks of cultivation, respectively, on SH basal medium containing various auxins (3 mg l⁻¹) or cytokinins (0.2 or 0.02 mg l⁻¹) or their combinations. We found that kinetin (Kin) in combination with auxin benzo[b]selenienyl acetic acid (BSAA), naphthalene acetic acid or indole-3-butric acidis the best for biomass production and following root multiplication. These combinations were tested in previously selected most suitable large-scale system—a temporary immersion system RITA. The best saponin production (15.94 ± 1.89 mg g⁻¹ dry weight) and growth value (5.62 ± 0.34) was reached on medium containing BSAA and Kin combination.     

紫罗兰愈伤组织诱导及植株再生的研究

以紫罗兰幼苗子叶、子叶柄、下胚轴作外植体接种MS附加不同激素的培养基诱导愈伤组织，并进一步诱导分化出芽及再生植株。子叶和下胚轴外植体在MS＋0.1mg/LNAA培养基上愈伤组织发生率达100％，下胚轴愈伤组织转移MS 0.1mg/L 6-BA培养基上易诱导分化出小苗，分化频率达67％，再生小苗在1／2MSA＋0.2mg/L IBA培养基上生根率达86％。     

Genetic stability of long-term micropropagated Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. plantlets as assessed by molecular tools: Perspectives for in vitro conservation

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers (RAPD) were employed to assess the level of genetic stability of long term micropropagated prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) plantlets.Thirteen micropropagated plantlets were chosen from a clonal collection of shoots that originated from a single mother shoot. This clonal collection had been maintained under in vitro culture conditions for at least 5 years, as achieved for the time by axillary branch multiplication in Opuntia ficus-indica.Twenty arbitrary primers were used to compare RAPD patterns between in vitro raised material and the mother plant. Only 11 primers were found to yield distinct and reproducible amplification products resulting in a total of 87 amplified products, out of which 82 bands were monomorphic across all the plantlets and 5 showed polymorphisms.Cluster analysis performed on the basis of similarity indices indicated that all micropropagated plantlets and their mother plant grouped together in one major cluster with a 91% level of similarity.Low level of genetic variation has been detected, as polymorphic bands accounted for just 2.79% of the total genetic variation. This very low level of genetic variation, despite more than 5 years of in vitro culture, demonstrates the genetic stability of Opuntia ficus-indica and indicates that the axillary branch multiplication method is highly reliable for the multiplication of genetically true-to-type plant material.The high degree of clonal fidelity detected here, recommend the use of axillary-branching micropropagation technique for the safe in vitro conservation of prickly pear interesting genetic resources.     

In vitro direct plant regeneration and Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

In vitro direct plant regeneration of lucerne was achieved by simultaneous application of thidiazuron (TDZ) and 6‐benzyladenine (BA) in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Seedlings were germinated and grown for 6 d on growth regulator–containing MS medium. The shoot tip, consisting of the apical meristem along with parts of the cotyledonary leaves and hypocotyl, was then cultured on a medium containing the growth regulator(s). Adventitious budding of the shoot tip was promoted synergistically by treatment with TDZ and BA, and a maximum of thirty‐five shoots per explant was obtained on a medium supplemented with 2 mg L^?1 TDZ and 1 mg L^?1 BA. Plant regeneration frequency varied from 67 to 93%, and five Indian lucerne cultivars responded well to the regeneration protocol. The Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation frequency from co‐cultivated explants was 13% following multiple shoot induction. Southern analysis of the T₀ plants and T₁ progenies confirmed stable inheritance of the hpt marker gene. Agrobacterium infection of the explant caused a significant reduction in the plant regeneration frequency (23%) and the number of shoots induced (11) when compared with uninfected explants. A single shoot tip provided sufficient material to regenerate and establish twenty‐seven lucerne plants, whereas only nine plants could be regenerated from an Agrobacterium co‐cultivated explant. This transformation protocol could represent a valuable improvement over existing ones for lucerne.     

Assessment of genetic stability in micropropagules of Jatropha curcas genotypes by RAPD and AFLP analysis

Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae), a drought resistant non edible oil yielding plant, has acquired significant importance as an alternative renewable energy source. Low and inconsistent yields found in field plantations prompted for identification of high yielding clones and their large scale multiplication by vegetative propagation to obtain true to type plants. In the current investigation plantlets of J. curcas generated by axillary bud proliferation (micropropagation) using nodal segments obtained from selected high yielding genotypes were assessed for their genetic stability using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analyses. For RAPD analysis, 21 out of 52 arbitrary decamer primers screened gave clear reproducible bands. In the micropropagated plantlets obtained from the 2nd sub-culture, 4 out of a total of 177 bands scored were polymorphic, but in the 8th and 16th sub-cultures (culture cycle) no polymorphisms were detected. AFLP analysis revealed 0.63%, 0% and 0% polymorphism in the 2nd, 8th and 16th generations, respectively. When different genotypes, viz. IC 56557 16, IC 56557 34 and IC 56557 13, were assessed by AFLP, 0%, 0.31% and 0.47% polymorphisms were found, respectively, indicating a difference in genetic stability among the different genotypes. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on assessment of genetic stability of micropropagated plantlets in J. curcas and suggests that axillary shoot proliferation can safely be used as an efficient micropropagation method for mass propagation of J. curcas.     

野生黄精离体快繁技术体系的优化

以野生黄精不定芽为材料,以MS为基本培养基,添加不同浓度的植物生长调节剂6-BA、2,4-D、NAA、KT进行3因素4水平的正交设计试验,筛选黄精增殖的最佳培养条件;探讨不同培养温度对黄精组培苗继代增殖的影响;以1/2 MS为基本培养基,探讨不同生长素及其浓度和不同培养容器对组培苗生根的影响。结果表明,黄精组培苗最佳继代增殖培养基为MS + 2.0 mg/L 6-BA + 0.2 mg/L 2,4-D + 0.4 mg/L NAA,最佳培养温度为22 ℃,平均繁殖系数达6.88;最佳生根培养基为1/2 MS + 0.5 mg/L NAA + 0.2 mg/L IBA,平均生根率达96.2%;接种袋是黄精工厂化育苗的首选生根培养容器。     

苎麻茎尖的组织培养及其诱导植株的再生

对苎麻50号品系的茎尖进行组织培养并诱导植株再生。结果表明:最适茎尖转绿和分化的培养基是1/2MS 6-BA1.0mg/L CH300mg/L的液体培养基,茎尖分化率为100%。最适成苗培养基为MS 6-BA0.5mg/L IAA0.1mg/L CH300mg/L,成苗率是53.3%。扩繁培养基为MS 6-BA0.3￣1.0mg/L,繁殖系数达6.7。适宜生根培养基为1/2MS NAA0.01mg/L。最佳茎尖剥取材料是无菌试管苗,茎尖长以0.3mm带1￣2个叶原基为宜。从茎尖接种培养成苗到移栽需4个月左右。