Selection and micropropagation of valuable caper genotypes

Abstract

The high quality of the various biotypes present in the natural or cultivated state is one of the main features for caper production. Up to now, however, no selection activity has been carried out in order to identify the most suitable accessions for providing better quality products. In this paper, we report the first results of a selection of caper genotypes characterised by significant qualitative traits. A micropropagation protocol was evaluated in order to improve and allow the multiplication of the most promising Capparis spinosa L. subsp. spinosa genotypes, selected in Salina (Aeolian Islands), Sicily (Italy), in collaboration with the most important local growers.

Can the Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) Still Be Considered a Difficult-to-Propagate Crop?

“…In another experiment carried out on selected Sicilian genotypes, IBA showed better rooting performances than IAA and NAA at all the tested concentrations (1, 5, 10 µM). The best rooting rate (93.4%) was achieved with IBA at 5 µM [93].…”

“…In another experiment carried out on selected Sicilian genotypes, IBA showed better rooting performances than IAA and NAA at all the tested concentrations (1, 5, 10 µM). The best rooting rate (93.4%) was achieved with IBA at 5 µM [93]. The usefulness of PlantForm bioreactors as an alternative to traditional solidsubstrate techniques was tested on plant material obtained from mature plants of three Sicilian selected accessions, named 'Sal 39′, 'Sal 37′ and 'Sal 35′, grown on the Aeolian island of Salina [94].…”

“…Finally, it must be observed that rooting induction often required high levels of auxins which, on the other hand, may stimulate callus formation [88,93]. In these conditions, the abundant presence of callus delays root formation [90] and is unfavorable for ex vitro transfer.…”

Biotechnology and In Vitro Culture as an Alternative System for Secondary Metabolite Production

“…In vitro propagation has become a crucial method for the mass production of medicinal plants and various protocols of the micropropagation of numerous medicinal species that have been successfully achieved either by organogenesis [64][65][66][67][68] or by somatic embryogenesis [69][70][71]. The micropropagation of many medicinal species has been revealed to be similar and with a little variation in their phytochemical content [72].…”

Mejora de la germinación para la propagación sexual de la alcaparra (Capparis spinosa L.)

“…Utilizando esquejes de segmentos de brotes con 2-3 nudos, se obtuvieron brotes múltiples de yemas nodales en medio MS y MS modificado suplementado con 6-bencilaminopurina (BAP) (1,5 mg L -1 ), IBA (0,05 mg L -1 ), AG (0,1 mg L -1 ), a intervalos de 4 semanas . Sottile et al (2020), evaluaron un protocolo de micropropagación para mejorar la multiplicación de genotipos seleccionados en Salina (Islas Eolias), Sicilia (Italia); la mayor cantidad de brotes se observó con la concentración máxima de BAP y la concentración más baja de IBA, los brotes jóvenes se recolectaron en la primavera y se le quitaron las hojas, luego se cortaron en segmentos nodales, de 1 cm de largo.…”