In vitro Propagation of Vanda testacea (Lindl.) Reichb. F, a Medicinally Important Threatened Orchid

The present study was planned to enable in vitro conservation of Vanda testacea, a highly medicinal orchid species through in vitro asymbiotic seed germination technique in Mitra orchid medium supplemented with cytokinins (Kn - 4.65 μM, BAP - 4.44 μM), and auxin (NAA- 5.37 μM). The germination frequency and initiation of germination was higher in NAA augmented medium and seedlings developed in 12.50 ± 0.50 weeks. Coconut water (20%) proved optimum for the multiplication of protocorm like bodies. Activated charcoal successfully checked the release of brownish exudates in the cultures. Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 31(2): 153-160, 2021 (December)

Genetic identity of mint cultivars after in vitro conservation, assessed by ISSR primers

The species of the genus Mentha have been known since ancient times and have significant value in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries, as well as in medicine. For the widespread use of mint, including in a variety of breeding programs, and the preservation of genetic diversity, effective methods of maintaining cultivars and collection samples are required. Thanks to the development of biotechnological methods, in particular, the creation of slow-growing collections, are now actively used as an effective alternative to field collections. It is known that the cultivation of tissues and organs on artificial culture media can cause somaclonal variability. The purpose of this work is to study the effect of in vitro storage at 4-6°C without illumination after 3 and 4 in vitro conservation cycles on the genetic stability of three cultivars of mint Azhurnaya, Bergamotnaya and Zagrava using ISSR primers. 1 cycle: 1 year of in vitro conservation, microcutting and 2 subcultures of regrowth in a culture room. After conservation, the number of viable explants was 70.0-82.1%. Callus formation at the base of the shoots was not observed in any of the cultivars. After 3 and 4 cycles of in vitro conservation, genetic stability was assessed using 11 ISSR primers. It was found that all three mint genotypes showed full compliance (length and number of amplicons) with the profiles of control samples for all studied markers. It was also found that the markers used by ISSR are highly informative for mint cultivars.

Minimal Media Strength for In vitro Conservation of Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) Cultures

An experiment for strawberry Fragaria ananassa cv. Festival in vitro conservation of cultures for nine months was studied. Three MS medium strength (full strength MS, ¾ MS, ½ MS, and ¼ MS) and the storage period (3, 6, and 9 months) in slowing down or reducing growth. Results showed a significant effect of the medium salt strength, as the full strength treatment was higher by achieved the highest percentage of viability (survival %) and storage characteristics of cultures (N%, P%, carbohydrates%, protein %) and regeneration ability characteristics (shoots and roots number and length). Three-month storage period achieved the highest rate compared to the nine-month storage period, which recorded the lowest average for the studied characteristics. The full strength treatment for three months storage period realized the highest rate compared to treatment ¼ strength for the storage period of nine months, which recorded the lowest rate of the studied traits. The application of minimal strength for in vitro conservation allows strawberry cultures to remain viable with a slow growth rate and a significant increase in the storage life of the tissues to nine months.