An improved polyurethane support system for monitoring growth in plant cell cultures

Abstract

An improved culture system for plant cells that employs filter paper resting on polyurethane saturated with liquid medium is described. It combines a simplified version of the system outlined by Weber and Lark [1979, Theor Appl Genet 55: 81-86] with the method of growth estimation described by , Can J Bot 58 : 2402-2406. The growth of plated cells or callus can be conveniently monitored through repeated non-destructive fresh weight measurements of the filter paper and adhering cells, thereby allowing the construction of a complete growth curve over the course of an experiment. Experiments with 3 Nicotiana genotypes (N. plumbaginifolia Viv., iV. tabacum L. 'SC 58' and N. tabacum 'WI 38') and 3 Vitis vinifera L. genotypes ('Chenin Blanc', 'Dogridge' and 'White Riesling') clearly demonstrate higher growth rates of plated cells on polyurethane supports compared with agar. Further experiments with N. plum. baginifolia illustrate the use of polyurethane supports for culturing cells at low pH (4.0) and the recovery of spent medium for monitoring changes in pH. These features will greatly facilitate quantitative studies of mineral nutrition and metal toxicity in cultured cells. Polyurethane supports also allow the incorporation of conditioned medium or feeder ceils to support the growth of cells at low densities and facilitate the rapid recovery of variant ceils.

Towards automation: Radiata pine shoot hedges in vitro

“…Of interest is why this treatment resulted in better growth than transferring shoots monthly to fresh agar medium. The superiority of liquid or liquid on top of agar to agar medium has been demonstrated in a number of systems [3,6,10,12,20]. This is thought to be because liquid medium both dilutes the effect of any growth inhibitors exuded and also bathes tissues in medium.…”

In vitro production of potato microtubers in liquid medium using temporary immersion

“…Some physiological disorders such as hyperhydricity and vitrification can also appear. To avoid these problems different procedures have been developed: a raft to support plants over stationary liquid (Connor & Meredith, 1984;Hamilton et al, 1985), adding liquid medium to established cultures on agar (Maene & Debergh, 1985;Aitken-Christie & Davies, 1988) and mist culture (Wheathers & Giles, 1988). Over the past ten years we developed a procedure using temporary immersion of cultured tissues, organs and/or plantlets in a liquid medium.…”

Effect of liquid culture on the growth and development of miniature rose (Rosa chinensis Jacq. ?Minima?)

“…However, there have been several reports of adverse culture effects related to agar solidification (Debergh 1983;Bornman & Vogelmann 1984;Conner & Meredith 1984). Shoots of Pinus caribaea incubated on a liquid medium were longer than those cultured on solid medium (Skidmore et al 1988).…”