Insights into the multifaceted application of microscopic techniques in plant tissue culture systems

Abstract

Microscopic techniques remain an integral tool which has allowed for the better understanding and manipulation of in vitro plant culture systems. The recent advancements will inevitably help to unlock the long-standing mysteries of fundamental biological mechanisms of plant cells. Beyond the classical applications in micropropagation aimed at the conservation of endangered and elite commercial genotypes, plant cell, tissue and organ cultures have become a platform for elucidating a myriad of fundamental physiological and developmental processes. In conjunction with microscopic techniques, in vitro culture technology has been at the centre of important breakthroughs in plant growth and development. Applications of microscopy and plant tissue culture have included elucidation of growth and development processes, detection of in vitro-induced physiological disorders as well as subcellular localization using fluorescent protein probes. Light and electron microscopy have been widely used in confirming the bipolarity of somatic embryos during somatic embryogenesis. The technique highlights basic anatomical, structural and histological evidence for in vitro-induced physiological disorders during plant growth and development. In this review, we discuss some significant biological insights in plant growth and development, breakthroughs and limitations of various microscopic applications and the exciting possibilities offered by emergent in vivo live imaging and fluorescent protein engineering technologies.

Dynamics of morphological and anatomical changes in leaf tissues of an interspecific hybrid of oil palm during acquisition and development of somatic embryogenesis

“…There was still a process of atrophied growth in these specimens, also caused by several other histological and structural deficiencies (Habib et al 2015). According to Moyo et al (2015), mass micropropagation could still lead to the appearance of other undesirable morphological and anatomical features, such as deficiency in the production of pigments and waxes, alterations in stomatal formation, water accumulation in the apoplast, reduction of the sustentation capacity and low vascularization.…”

Micro-Structural Stability of Micropropagated Plants ofVitex negundoL.

“…The physicochemical factors and environmental differences during plantlet development (under in vitro, ex vitro, and in vivo conditions) have major roles in the development of cells/tissues, the establishment of plantlets, and to improve the survival rate (Rathore et al, 2013;Shekhawat et al, 2017;Kulus, 2020;Manokari et al, 2020b). Therefore, the anatomical evaluation offers a platform to understand in vitro growth and developmental phases and to resolve unbalanced culture conditions associated with organogenesis for a better perception in successful plant establishment (Moyo et al, 2015). Under photoautotrophic conditions, the plants exhibit a self-repair process in the development of structural and physiological adaptations to withstand water scarcity (through the development of thick cuticle, deep roots, and organs to harvest moisture) and to limit water loss (by reduced stomatal density and development of trichomes).…”

Attenuation of morpho-anatomical disorders of micropropagated plantlets of Crinum malabaricum Lekhak and Yadav using seismo-mechanical stimulation

“…The aforesaid in vitro-induced foliar morpho-anatomical and functional deformities must be corrected before unwrapping the culture vessels and introduction of plantlets to the field environment, to enhance the survival of tissue culture raised plantlets and successful development of commercial propagation protocol for any species of interest (Chandra et al 2010;Bairu and Kane 2011;Bag et al 2019). The morpho-anatomical and physiological assessment of the in vitro plantlets could help to understand the abnormalities and conquer the problems of tissue culture raised plantlets for successful acclimatization and in the prediction of the survival rate under field conditions (Moyo et al 2015;Shekhawat and Manokari 2018;Pavao et al 2019).…”