Plant biotechnology in South Africa: Micropropagation research endeavours, prospects and challenges

A method for the micropropagation of Zantedeschia albomaculata is presented using shoot tip proliferation onto Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different plant growth regulator concentrations and combinations. Of the four cytokinins tested, 6-benzyladenine (BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ) were found to be more effective. An optimal concentration of BA (8.87 μM) or TDZ (4.54 μM) developed an average of 3.8 and 3.2 shoots per explant, respectively, but increasing concentrations of cytokinins often led to lower proliferation rate and stunted growth. Addition of auxins to the MS medium supplemented with 8.87 μM BA slightly enhanced multiple shoot formation in the explants. Multiplication of six cultivars of Zantedeschia genus comprising different flower types and colors were tested and achieved using only one regeneration medium (MS+8.87 μMBA+2.46 μM IBA). Different MS medium strength, air temperature (15, 20, 25, and 30°C) and light quality [fluorescent, red + blue, red and blue light provided by a LED (light-emitting diode) system] were used (without phytohormone) with the aim of stimulating in vitro shoot and root development. Half-strength MS or MS and cultures maintained at 25°C were found to be equally suitable for shoot tip culture of Z. albomaculata. Shoot elongation as well as fresh and dry weight were significantly increased when cultures were kept under red or blue light.

Micropropagation of calla lily (Zantedeschia albomaculata) via in vitro shoot tip proliferation

Alkaloids from Crinum macowanii.

Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. is a perennial herb of the family Hypoxidaceae. It is an endangered plant species of medicinal importance. Multiple shoots were obtained from the meristem tip culture on MS medium supplemented with BA (2.21 µM). The shoots were rooted either on half strength of MS basal medium or on the one supplemented with NAA (0.53 µM). In vitro plantlets were trans- ferred to pots containing a mixture of vermiculite and soil (1 : 1) for acclimation for a period of two - three weeks. At the end of a three-month period, an average of 125 plants were obtained from a single meristem.

Micropropagation of an Endangered Medicinal Plant : Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.

The anatomy and morphology of bud regeneration were investigated in melon (Cucumis melo L.) cv. Galia, which regenerates in vitro only by direct organogenesis from the cotyledon explant. Explants were cut from the cotyledon proximal to the apex from 3-d-old in vitro seedlings. After 3 d on Murashige and Skoog medium with N6-benzyladenine, cell division can be observed in the epidermal layer on the adaxial side in the center of the explant, near the most proximal (wounded) cut edge. Over the next week, the area of the meristem increases laterally. Additional cell layers are added to the meristematic area by cell division in the epidermis. In places the epidermis remains active in cell division. Alongside those active areas there are zones where the epidermis has become inactive, although the subepidermal layers continue to divide. In transverse section, the explant now has small protuberances on the adaxial surface. After 10 d on cytokinin-containing medium, the first signs of development are visible on the adaxial surface adjacent to the proximal cut edge. The protuberances observed after 10 d are neither primordia nor buds, although some meristematic bulges are observed. The first regenerated shoot buds are observed histologically after 15 d, by which time the surface has many protuberances and some small leaves. The first shoot is found by histology after 22 d. By this time the surface is covered with protrusions and leaves, mostly without accompanying buds. The leaves may be produced from the protrusions initially visible after 10 d.

In vitro studies on the anatomy and morphology of bud regeneration in melon cotyledons

Tissue culture techniques were applied to study the regeneration and growth of bulblets from bulb scale segments ofCrinum macowanii Bak. (bush- or march lily)in vitro. Shoots were induced on twin scales taken from the basal plate region of flowering-size bulbs on Murashige and Skoog (MS)-medium containing 0–20 mg l−1 NAA and BA and a modified MS medium (MMS medium) containing 1.25 mg l−1 ancymidol (A-RestTM), 0.1 mg l−1 NAA and 0.1 mg l−1 kinetin (ANK). Large bulblets could only be initiated on the latter. Subsequently the bulblets of 5 mm or more in diameter were trimmed and split in half, and secondary plantlets were regenerated on MMS-medium containing ANK or MS-medium without any growth regulators which in turn grew into bulblets suitable for splitting within 12–16 weeks. A total of 700–1000 bulblets could be obtained from each initial bulb within 12 months. Anatomical studies showed that the shoots were initiated from the epidermis and hypodermis on the abaxial surface of the meristematic tissue of the basal plate of the bulb scale. This technique is useful for the multiplication and preservation of a genotype, since plantlets regenerated in this manner should be genetically uniform.

Regeneration of bulblets from twin scales ofCrinum macowanii in vitro

Amaryllis belladonna L. plants were multiplied successfully by means of tissue culture techniques. Different plant parts were tested as explant material, but plantlets could only be generated from the twin-scales and immature scapes. These in vitro-formed plantlets were divided into four parts and used for further multiplication. The twin-scale explants had the highest multiplication rate when a medium with 22.2 μM benzyladenine and 0.54 μM naphthaleneacetic acid was used. The sucrose concentration played an important role in the initiation of new plantlets, and the best results were obtained when a sucrose concentration of 2–3% was used. Anatomical observations were made during the initiation of the new plantlets.

In vitro propagation of Amaryllis belladonna

Adventitious shoots and plantlets were regenerated in vitro from floral stem explants of Crinum macowanii (Bak.) (bush lily). The length (age) of the floral stem as well as the orientation and position of the explant disc in the floral stem were the most important factors affecting shoot regeneration. The highest number of shoots were regenerated when immature floral stems of 70–100 mm were used as starting material, using the middle or basal parts of the stem, and orientating the discs with their proximal ends on the medium. Combinations of kinetin (4.65 μM) and either indoleacetic acid (0.57 μM) or naphthaleneacetic acid (0.54 μM), or a combination of benzyladenine (4.44 μM) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (0.45 μM) resulted in the highest numbers of shoots being regenerated. Although a slight degree of callus formation was noticed on the cut-edges of the discs, shoot formation did not occur via callus, but directly from the floral stem epidermis. Unrooted shoots were rooted on MS-medium containing 0.17 M sucrose.

J. Pretorius

Papers

Regeneration of bulblets from twin scales ofCrinum macowanii in vitro

In vitro propagation of Amaryllis belladonna

Adventitious in vitro plantlet formation from immature floral stems of Crinum macowanii