Microtuber Formation from In Vitro Codonopsis lanceolata Plantlets by Sugar

Abstract

In this experiment, we report for the first time mass propagation by in vitro mircrotuberization of Codonopsis lanceolata. We first examined the effect of cytokinins on multiple shoot induction. 2.0 mg·L -1 of kinetin not only gave the highest rate of shoot induction (19.1%) but also the elongation of shoot (17.1 mm). Secondly, we investigated the effect of sugars on in vitro microtuberization from nodal segments. The diameter of tuberous roots was enlarged in the half-strength MS medium supplemented with 145.9 mM sucrose. Histological analysis revealed that the number of parenchymatous cell containing starch grains increased in the tuberous roots. In addition, unlike in non-tuberous root, vascular bundles were scattered inner cortex layer. Thirdly, in order to preserve and stimulate the germination, microtubers were stored at 4℃ refrigerator during 9 months and then transplanted to the artificial soils (vermiculrite : peatmoss = 1:1 v/v), resulting that the rates of survival and germination were 75% and 70%, respectively. These results indicated that mass propagation of C. lanceolata was achieved by in vitro microtuber formation, suggesting that this protocol might be applied for not only the propagation of elite clones but also conservation of C. lanceolata germplasm.