Enhanced in vitro regeneration and change in photosynthetic pigments, biomass and proline content in Withania somnifera L. (Dunal) induced by copper and zinc ions

Abstract In this study, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, photosynthetic pigments, proline and carbohydrate contents in Pitcairnia encholirioides under ex vitro conditions of water deficit were evaluated. Results show that plants under progressive water stress, previously in vitro cultured in media supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose and GA3, accumulated more proline and increased peroxidase (POD) activity and the contents of photosynthetic pigments and carbohydrates. For plants previously in vitro cultured with 15 g L-1 sucrose and NAA, no differences were found for proline content and there were reductions in activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and poliphenoloxidase (PPO), and in contents of carbohydrates, with progress of ex vitro water deficit. After rehydration, plants showed physiological recovery, with enzymatic activities and contents of metabolites similar to those found in the controls not submitted to dehydration, regardless of the previous in vitro culture conditions. These results show that micropropagated P. encholirioides has high tolerance to dehydration once in ex vitro conditions, which can ensure the survival of plants from tissue culture when transferred to its natural environment, emphasizing the importance of such biotechnology for the propagation of endangered species.

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In vitro Regeneration of an Endangered Medicinal Plant Withania somnifera using Four Different Explants

Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology ◽

10.3329/ptcb.v23i1.15564 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A. Arumugam ◽

K. Gopinath

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plant ◽

Withania Somnifera ◽

In Vitro Regeneration ◽

Multiple Shoots ◽

Leaf Explant ◽

Cow Dung ◽

Endangered Medicinal Plant ◽

Rooting Medium ◽

Regenerated Plantlets

An efficient protocol was developed for highly regenerative capacity from leaf explant of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal ? an endangered medicinal plant. Calli were regenerated from four different explants like leaves, cotyledons, hypocotyls and epicotyls. MS supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4?D, BAP and NAA were used. The calli (94.33 ± 1.20%) were obtained from the leaf explant in 2,4?D 3.0 mg/l. The highest number of multiple shoots (85.67 ± 0.88%) were obtained from the leaf callus at 4.0 mg/l BAP. Shootlets forming calli were transferred to the rooting medium containing 10.0 mg/l NAA to produce multiple roots (89.33 ± 0.88%). The regenerated rooted shootlets were transferred to small polythene bags, which contain a sterilized cow?dung, sand and red soil (1 : 2 : 3) and kept in a mist house. After acclimation in the mist house the regenerated plantlets were hardened in the greenhouse and transferred to soil, which showed 85% survival rate. This new protocol was standardized for easy mass propagation of W. somnifera using leaf explant.Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 23(1): 79?85, 2013 (June)DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ptcb.v23i1.15564

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