Effect of light conditions and ABA on cold storage and post-storage propagation of Taraxacum pieninicum

• Published in: Plant cell, tissue and organ culture tissue and organ culture, 2016-10, Vol.127 (1), p.25-34
• Main Authors: Kamińska, Monika, Skrzypek, Edyta, Wilmowicz, Emilia, Tretyn, Andrzej, Trejgell, Alina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abscisic acid; Acclimatization; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Cold storage; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Endangered & extinct species; In vitro methods and tests; Life Sciences; Light effects; Low temperature; Original Article; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plant tissues; Ploidy; Propagation; Regrowth; Shoots; Storage conditions; Taraxacum; Temperature effects; Threatened species; Tips; Viability
• ISSN: 0167-6857; 1573-5044
• DOI: 10.1007/s11240-016-1026-1

Taraxacum pieninicum is an extremely threatened species. It seems that traditional protection methods of this species are insufficient and it is necessary to use biotechnology tools that allow the in vitro storage of plant material. The present study describes in vitro conservation of T. pieninicum by slow-growth storage. Various light conditions and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments and combinations thereof were tested. Viability, proliferation rate and ability of shoots to root were evaluated during regrowth. Moreover, the effect of shoot storage conditions on the ABA level was analysed. The results showed that light during 3-months’ storage increased the level of endogenous ABA. Similar results were observed when storage at a low temperature was prolonged to 9 months. Changes in ABA level had a negative effect on shoot condition. However, these changes were related to leaves and did not affect the ability of shoot tips to proliferate after long-term storage. Addition of ABA to storage medium increased several folds the level of ABA in plant tissues, which resulted in a reduction in the visual rating and proliferation rate. Shoots obtained after post-storage regrowth were able to root. All rooted shoots survived adaptation to field conditions and were able to flower in the second year after acclimatization. The analysis of DNA content indicated that all the regenerants had the same ploidy level independent of treatments during storage. Cold storage of T. pieninicum as used in this study enabled the interval between subcultures to be extended to 9 months.