In vitro propagation of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. through nodal segment shoot proliferation Abstract Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. is a vital traditional herbal medicinal plant found in northeastern Asia. Its roots, fruits, and seeds are used as food and medicine. Roots harvested for medicinal use take over 3 yr to mature when the plant is grown in a traditional way through cultivation in the field. This coupled with uncertainty in identification of the plant when collected from the wild calls for a standard in vitro propagation system to meet the increasing demand for it. The purpose of this study was to develop a standard protocol for the in vitro micropropagation of T. kirilowii. Ten different media supplemented with different concentrations of plant growth regulators were evaluated. At 5 wk, De Greef and Jacobs medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L−1 kinetin led to optimal shoot growth, while the same medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L−1 indole 3-butyric acid induced optimal root growth, also at 5 wk. The micropropagated plants that were acclimatized for 8 wk in the greenhouse produced mature root tubers after planted in the field for 3 mo. Therefore, these findings provide a basis for future large-scale in vitro propagation of T. kirilowii.

Effects of sodium alginate elicitation on secondary metabolites and antioxidant activity of safflower genotypes under in vitro salinity stress Abstract The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of different concentrations of sodium alginate (NaAlg) (0.075 and 0.15% (w/v)) on the production of secondary metabolites (SMs) and antioxidant activity of seven safflower genotypes under in vitro salinity stress. The results showed that total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids (TFD), total flavonols (TFL), anthocyanin (Ant), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), catalase (CAT) activity, and lipid peroxidation significantly increased under salinity stress consisting of the concentration of 1.5% (w/v) of NaCl, but callus growth traits decreased. The highest amount of TPC, Ant, and callus growth traits was observed under the elicitation of the sample with the concentration of 0.075(%) NaAlg under salinity stress, but the highest amount for TFD, TFL, CAT, PAL, and TAC was observed under elicitation of the sample with the concentration of 0.15% of NaAlg under salinity stress. This indicated the superiority of NaAlg for elicitation to increase SMs in safflower under salinity stress. Overall, the results showed that genotypes of Mex.22-191 and GE62918 could be processed to produce SMs by eliciting NaCl in safflower as an important medicinal plant at cellular level. A positive and significant correlation between CAT and TPC was observed and indicates that phenolic compounds are the major contributors to the antioxidant potential in safflower. This new elicitor introduced new ways to select and exploit the best NaAlg concentration to develop SMs that are of tremendous importance in terms of commercial purposes along with medical features in safflower at cellular level.

Genetic homogeneity assessment of in vitro -regenerated plantlets of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. and comparative evaluation of bioactive metabolites and antioxidant activity Abstract In vitro propagation of Nyactanthes arbor-tristis L. was achieved by culturing N-phenyl-N′-benzothiazol-6-yl-urea (PBU)-pretreated nodal explants in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium without any phytohormones. Pretreatment of nodal explants in liquid MS medium with 100 μM N-phenyl-N′-benzothiazol-6-yl-urea for 4 d showed the highest shoot proliferation by producing maximum number of shoots (17.40 ± 1.02) per explant, with average shoot length of 5.96 ± 0.08 cm at the end of 8 wk. Effective rooting was accomplished by preincubating the cut-end of shoots with half-strength MS medium containing 6 μM indole-3-butyric acid for 1 wk, followed by implantation into half-strength MS medium; an average of 6.20 ± 0.049 roots per shoot were produced. Seventy-eight percent of the plantlets regenerated in vitro were successfully acclimatized and transferred to soil. These plantlets appeared to be morphologically similar to the donor plants. The genetic fidelity of these in vitro-regenerated plantlets was confirmed by start codon targeted polymorphism (SCoT) marker analysis, followed by comparative evaluations of the bioactive metabolites (ursolic acid, rengyolone, arbortristoside-A, and nyctanthoside), antioxidant-rich phytochemicals, and radical scavenging activities. This optimized in vitro propagation protocol should be an aid for the conservation of N. arbor-tristis germplasm, as well as cater to the needs of herbal industries for the production of therapeutic molecules.

Improved protocol for the transformation of adult Citrus sinensis Osbeck ‘Tarocco’ blood orange tissues Abstract The production of transgenic citrus plants from adult tissues is difficult because of low regeneration and transformation rates. To increase the transformation efficiency of adult citrus tissues, an improved protocol involving adult Citrus sinensis Osbeck ‘Tarocco’ blood orange tissues was developed. Explants were pre-incubated in a liquid medium prior to infection by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Plant materials were also incubated on callus-induction medium supplemented with various combinations of cytokinin (Cyt) and kanamycin (Kan). An appropriate pre-incubation of the explants increased the transformation efficiency of adult tissues. During the callus-induction period, the Cyt type and Kan concentration had the largest and smallest effects on the transformation efficiency, respectively. The most effective combination of plant growth regulator and Kan for the transformation of ‘Tarocco’ blood orange tissues was 2 mg L−1 2-isopentenyl adenine and 50 mg L−1 Kan. The transformation efficiency under the optimized conditions was 11.7%. A Southern blot analysis confirmed the integration of the transgene. These results indicated that the transformation efficiency of adult citrus tissues can be enhanced by optimizing the transformation conditions.

Micropropagation and molecular characterization of Thymus sibthorpii Benth. (Lamiaceae), an aromatic-medicinal thyme with ornamental value and conservation concern Abstract Thymus sibthorpii Benth. (Lamiaceae), with accession number 01,1796-22, is a biotype of native Greek thyme with ascending stems and potential use as a new medicinal-aromatic crop and ornamental plant. An efficient and reliable protocol for in vitro clonal propagation of T. sibthorpii from nodes and meristem tip explants was developed. Shoot proliferation succeeded on a new basal medium (BB) without plant growth regulators, as prior experiments with 6-benzyladenine generated hyperhydricity. Eight different basal media were compared; on two formulations using the new BB 5.9 and 5.6 shoots per explant were produced. Regenerated single shoots were rooted in the BB medium, supplemented with 5 μM of indole-3-butyric acid, and produced 3.1 roots along with 2.5 adventitious shoots. Three types of acclimatization were assessed: in vitro, using two different systems (no significant differences); ex vitro, using eight soil substrates under greenhouse and outdoor nursery conditions (in two of them, 100% of plantlets survived); and in field cultivations, established at eight geographically distant areas of Greece (100% survival rate at all locations). Molecular characterization of T. sibthorpii was evaluated with one nuclear ribosomal DNA and seven chloroplast DNA markers, followed by DNA sequence comparisons with a total of 30 different Thymus species, subspecies, and varieties. The trnH/psbA, trnL/trnF, and matK genes were the most efficient markers for molecular characterization of T. sibthorpii. The molecular markers rpoC1 and petB/petD did not match to any Thymus species and therefore, these DNA sequences provide new sequence information for entire Thymus taxa.

Development of a micropropagation protocol for Malus orientalis using axillary buds Abstract Caucasian apple trees (Malus orientalis) grow individually or in small groups with a scattered distribution pattern throughout the Hyrcanian forest. The wild gene pool in such trees has a high genetic diversity which is highly important for apple breeders. Micropropagation can be advantageous due to its quick propagation for apple breeders as well as its maintenance of in vitro and in vivo germplasm collection and exchange. Here, for the first time, we investigated the in vitro propagation of M. orientalis from three populations by collecting axillary buds and established a micropropagation protocol. Two strengths of Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium (full and half) in combination with different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) were tested for optimal multiplication. The interaction among the BA concentrations, MS strength, and populations was effective in the promotion of shoot development across the three populations. The average number of the produced shoots, shoot length, and number of leaves was significantly affected by this triple interaction. As a result, BA at the concentration of 0.4 mg L−1 worked for all the populations. The results showed that a rooting percentage of 77.8% was obtained on half strength Linsmaier and Skoog (LS) medium in combination with 0.9 mg L−1 3-indole butyric acid (IBA). However, the subculture of shoots on half strength LS medium supplemented with 0.9 mg L−1 IBA increased rooting percentage up to 96% and produced the highest number of roots (7.18 roots per shoot).

Growth and development of carnation ‘Dreambyul’ plantlets in a temporary immersion system and comparisons with conventional solid culture methods Abstract The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of the culture method—conventional solid medium culture and temporary immersion system (TIS)—on the growth and development of carnation ‘Dreambyul’ plantlets. At the same time, different immersion intervals and immersion durations of TIS culture were also tested to find the optimal setting for mass production of high-quality carnation plantlets in vitro. In the first experiment, the results showed that the shoot length, root length, and number of nodes of plantlets cultured in the TIS were highest when the immersion interval was 8 h. Compared with that of plantlets cultured in the conventional solid medium culture, the fresh weight of plantlets cultured in the TIS was at least 3 times greater. The greatest total chlorophyll content, stomata with normal shapes was observed for plantlets grown in the TIS with an 8-h immersion interval. The lowest H2O2 level was recorded in plantlets cultured with the 8-h immersion interval. In the second study, growth traits such as the shoot length, root length, and stem diameter, as well as the number of shoots and roots tended to increase with immersion durations, and reached their peaks when the immersion duration was 90 s. Excessive water accumulation in tissues and a higher incidence of hyperhydricity were observed in plantlets where the immersion duration was 120 and 150 s. These findings suggest that an immersion interval of 8 h, combined with an immersion duration of 90 s, could be the optimal setting for growth and development of carnation ‘Dreambyul’ plantlets cultured in the TIS.

Use of DoE methodology to optimize the regeneration of high-quality, single-copy transgenic Zea mays L. (maize) plants Abstract The maize Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation process normally takes about 10 to 15 wk from embryo infection and co-cultivation to sending “T0” plants to the greenhouse (GH). A new method was developed using the maize transcription factors Babyboom (BBM) and Wuschel2 (WUS2), to stimulate direct transgenic embryo formation and plant regeneration, that bypasses the need for prolonged tissue culture and regeneration from callus. In the present study, a design of experiment (DoE) method was used to test 10 factors to optimize the quality of somatic embryo maturation, root formation, and subsequent plantlet survival, without compromising the molecular event quality. The concentration of NO3− and the ratio of NH4+ to K+ had significant effects on the morphology of plantlets derived directly from germinated transgenic embryos. During early development, optimal tissue morphology required a NH4+/K+ ratio of 1:1 with 20 mM [NO3−], of 14.2 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), the highest concentration tested, and a low light intensity of 50 μmol m−2 s−1. Later development of rooted shoots required additional macronutrients with reduced NH4NO3 (15 mM NH4NO3 and 25 mM KNO3), reduced BAP (7.4 μM), and 1 μM abscisic acid (ABA) and at a higher light intensity of 140 μmol m−2 s−1. Using the optimized parameters, the frequency of plants sent to the GH was improved by twofold compared with the current process and the number of single-copy T-DNA events was doubled.

Genetic homogeneity and high shoot proliferation in banana ( Musa acuminata Colla) by altering medium thiamine level and sugar type Abstract To enhance the multiplication rate in Musa acuminata Colla (banana; ‘Grand Nain’) organogenesis, higher amounts of thiamine along with different sugar types and concentrations were evaluated at the proliferation phase. Thiamine at 1, 10, 50, 100, and 200 mg L−1 was compared with 0.1 mg L−1 thiamine found in conventional Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Maximum proliferation of banana was induced with 100 mg L−1 thiamine. Additionally, 15, 30, and 45 g L−1 sucrose, glucose, fructose, and sorbitol combined with regular and optimal levels of thiamine were tested. Glucose at 30 g L−1 most improved shoot proliferation alone and enhanced shoot proliferation further, when combined with 100 mg L−1 thiamine, followed by sucrose and fructose, whereas sorbitol completely inhibited growth and caused tissue browning. All evaluated vegetative traits were significantly affected by sugar type and concentration, and thiamine levels, unlike the photosynthetic pigments. Moreover, genetic stability of the plants recovered from the enhanced protocol was confirmed by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. A total of 230 bands generated by both marker types were monomorphic for the randomly selected regenerated plants, compared with their mother plant. Thus, the proliferation medium supplemented with 30 g L−1 glucose and 100 mg L−1 thiamine could be recommended for banana organogenesis. Results herein are of great importance and helpful in enhancing the commercial in vitro propagation protocols of banana, without the need of increasing the number of subcultures, which can cause somaclonal variation.

Alkaloid synthesis is coupled to shoot morphogenesis in Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) in vitro cultures Abstract During the induction process of an in vitro callus culture of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae), the levels of two benzylisoquinoline alkaloids known as berberine and sanguinarine displayed opposing trends. While the berberine levels steadily decreased from the initial explant stage up to the early proliferation of unorganized parenchymatous cell masses, the sanguinarine content increased. Once the callus culture was established, sanguinarine was the primary alkaloid present and berberine could no longer be detected. However, upon shoot regeneration, the berberine accumulation recovered, but sanguinarine was found in the newly formed leafy tissue. After root formation, sanguinarine was relocated to this organ, whereas berberine was evenly distributed between both tissues. Explants from stem internodes did not form callus, and berberine—plus sanguinarine—containing axillary shoots emerged from lateral buds in the induction medium. In contrast to callus-derived shoots, no root formation was observed. Therefore, alkaloid synthesis in A. mexicana in vitro cultures is related to the level of tissue organization in different ways, and while berberine accumulation seems to require the presence of differentiated organs, this is not the case for sanguinarine. Moreover, leafy parts of rootless shoots acquired the capacity to accumulate sanguinarine, which is usually absent in aerial tissues of mature plants. However, when these shoots were rooted, sanguinarine was mainly located in the newly formed roots, while berberine was detected in the shoots at similar levels found in the roots.