In this study, we analysed morphological, anatomical and physiological effects of polyploidisation in Spathiphyllum wallisii in order to evaluate possible interesting advantages of polyploids for ornamental breeding. Stomatal density was negatively correlated with increased ploidy level. Stomatal size increased in polyploids. Tetraploid Spathiphyllum plants had more ovate and thicker leaves. The inflorescence of tetraploids had a more ovate and thicker spathum, a more cylindrical spadix and a thicker but shorter flower stalk. Biomass production of the tetraploids was reduced, as expressed by lower total dry weights, and tetraploids produced fewer shoots and leaves compared with their diploid progenitors. Furthermore, tetraploid Spathiphyllum plants were more resistant to drought stress compared with diploid plants. After 15 days of drought stress, diploids showed symptoms of wilting, while the tetraploids showed almost no symptoms. Further, measurements of stomatal resistance, leaf water potential, relative water content and proline content indicated that the tetraploid genotypes were more resistant to drought stress compared with the diploids.
Tetraploids were induced in Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel (2n = 2x = 30) through in vitro application of mitosis inhibitors. Tetraploids were compared to the original diploid control plants. Polyploidization had a significant effect on plant anatomy and morphology. The stomatal area of diploids was smaller compared to the tetraploid plants. The leaf angle was smaller in diploids. The stomatal length and width, leaf thickness and angle and thickness of the spathum were positively correlated to the higher ploidy level. On the other hand, stomatal density, length/width ratio of leaf, spathum and spadix, number of shoots and leafs and length of the flower stalk decreased in tetraploids compared to the corresponding diploid controls. The leaf number of diploid plants was higher compared to tetraploids. Altogether, this study quantified the extended morphological changes of chromosome doubling in our model crop Spathiphyllum wallisii.
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