Articles
Novel approaches to micropropagation, rooting and acclimatization
Article number
1359_1
Pages
1 – 20
Language
English
Abstract
Since the 1970s, micropropagation has been successfully practiced in horticulture as a batch culture – several shoots being divided (subcultured) every few weeks by removing the plants from a semi-solid (gelled) medium and carefully cutting each shoot one-at-a-time.
Subsequently, rootable shoots or rooted plantlets are transferred to a mist or fog chamber, where an environment ideal for fungi, bacteria, and virus transmission prevails.
Many technologies have been designed and developed to reduce laborious subcultures and ease the plants transitioning to nursery growth under solar irradiance.
Seldom-discussed concepts and protocols that broach challenges to efficiently produce high-quality micropropagated plants include: 1) culture systems in closed heterotrophic environments that feature nutrient and media optimization including fed-batch culture, to improve potential value; 2) elongated shoot systems whereby apical tips are removed repeatedly while the bases of shoots remain in the medium (hedging), allowing multiple harvests and eliminating several rounds of subculture; and 3) rigid matrices to replace agar and enhance root growth, while facilitating bulk handling and improved disease management.
Somatic embryogenesis is briefly mentioned, but not reviewed extensively.
Acclimatization systems to maintain asepsis during photoautotrophic transitioning will be discussed.
Scientists measure the impacts of these new technologies by demonstrating better-quality plants while commercial colleagues strive to reduce costly inputs.
Academic projects with a glancing nod to industry are reviewed.
Subsequently, rootable shoots or rooted plantlets are transferred to a mist or fog chamber, where an environment ideal for fungi, bacteria, and virus transmission prevails.
Many technologies have been designed and developed to reduce laborious subcultures and ease the plants transitioning to nursery growth under solar irradiance.
Seldom-discussed concepts and protocols that broach challenges to efficiently produce high-quality micropropagated plants include: 1) culture systems in closed heterotrophic environments that feature nutrient and media optimization including fed-batch culture, to improve potential value; 2) elongated shoot systems whereby apical tips are removed repeatedly while the bases of shoots remain in the medium (hedging), allowing multiple harvests and eliminating several rounds of subculture; and 3) rigid matrices to replace agar and enhance root growth, while facilitating bulk handling and improved disease management.
Somatic embryogenesis is briefly mentioned, but not reviewed extensively.
Acclimatization systems to maintain asepsis during photoautotrophic transitioning will be discussed.
Scientists measure the impacts of these new technologies by demonstrating better-quality plants while commercial colleagues strive to reduce costly inputs.
Academic projects with a glancing nod to industry are reviewed.
Authors
J. Adelberg, J. Aitken
Keywords
bioreactor, cryopreservation, fed-batch, hedging, in vitro rooting, response surface method
Online Articles (37)