Articles
PHOTOAUTOTROPHIC MICROPROPAGATION SYSTEMS – APPLICATIONS TO CONSERVATION BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAMMES
Article number
865_1
Pages
21 – 28
Language
English
Abstract
The IUCN updates information on the conservation status of plants which are threatened in their natural habitats.
Several species are facing serious threats to their existence due to over collection, alien species, ecological and reproductive constraints.
The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation aims to halt the current loss of plant diversity by means of conservation measures, training and capacity building.
Over 50 percent of the worlds plant species are endemic to the 34 biodiversity hotspots.
In vitro conservation tools have been an integral part of ex situ conservation initiatives.
However conservation practitioners from biodiversity hotspot countries need cost effective, sustainable and simple in vitro plant growing methods to rescue plants of high conservation rating that are facing threat to their existence.
Photoautotrophic Micropropagation Systems (PMS) can specifically be of use in the initial stage of culture, rooting and weaning of recalcitrant species.
Ventilation, supporting systems, improved illumination and CO2 enrichment are the significant factors in developing a successful PMS. About twelve threatened plant species were tested for developing PMS in the last four years at the Conservation Biotechnology Unit (CBU), Royal Botanic Garden, Kew.
Except for two species, all other species performed better in PMS compared to conventional micropropagation.
Plants developed in PMS had leaves with well developed cuticle, stomata and vasculature.
Fresh and dry weights of root and shoot systems of PMS derived plants were significantly better than mixotrophic plants.
On average less than 50% of the plants survived transplantation following conventional micropropagation, but more than 80% of photoautotrophically grown plants were successfully transplanted.
Superior success rate in developing propagules of high quality is very important in species of high conservation rating due to the limited availability of explant material from the wild or ex situ.
The techniques outlined here can provide robust propagules of threatened plants required for reintroduction back to the wild and restoration programmes.
Several species are facing serious threats to their existence due to over collection, alien species, ecological and reproductive constraints.
The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation aims to halt the current loss of plant diversity by means of conservation measures, training and capacity building.
Over 50 percent of the worlds plant species are endemic to the 34 biodiversity hotspots.
In vitro conservation tools have been an integral part of ex situ conservation initiatives.
However conservation practitioners from biodiversity hotspot countries need cost effective, sustainable and simple in vitro plant growing methods to rescue plants of high conservation rating that are facing threat to their existence.
Photoautotrophic Micropropagation Systems (PMS) can specifically be of use in the initial stage of culture, rooting and weaning of recalcitrant species.
Ventilation, supporting systems, improved illumination and CO2 enrichment are the significant factors in developing a successful PMS. About twelve threatened plant species were tested for developing PMS in the last four years at the Conservation Biotechnology Unit (CBU), Royal Botanic Garden, Kew.
Except for two species, all other species performed better in PMS compared to conventional micropropagation.
Plants developed in PMS had leaves with well developed cuticle, stomata and vasculature.
Fresh and dry weights of root and shoot systems of PMS derived plants were significantly better than mixotrophic plants.
On average less than 50% of the plants survived transplantation following conventional micropropagation, but more than 80% of photoautotrophically grown plants were successfully transplanted.
Superior success rate in developing propagules of high quality is very important in species of high conservation rating due to the limited availability of explant material from the wild or ex situ.
The techniques outlined here can provide robust propagules of threatened plants required for reintroduction back to the wild and restoration programmes.
Publication
Authors
V. Sarasan
Keywords
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