Mineral nutrition in tissue culture: Influence on propagation and quality of the plantlets

Abstract

To improve tissue culture we developed media specifically adapted for the species qua mineral content. The adaptation is based on the elemental analysis of the adult plant. We compared the growth on adapted media of Cymbidium and Gerbera with growth on MS (normally used) and DKW media. The weight increase of Cymbidium protocorms on the adapted medium was the highest. The propagation of Gerbera was best on the adapted medium as well; plantlets were larger and easier to separate, resulting in a higher multiplication rate. Comparison of mineral content of the plants showed that higher uptake of Ca, P and Fe could be responsible for the better growth. Analysis of the media used never showed exhaustion of any mineral, so differences in relative concentrations should be responsible for better growth on adapted media.

New basal media for half-anther culture of Anthurium andreanum Linden ex André cv. Tropical

“…This medium was previously developed for optimal growth of tobacco callus but is now applied in many plants by adapting the strength of macro-nutrients, or minor changes in the concentrations of minerals (Bouman and Tiekstra 2001). Practically, each and every medium composition is based on different combinations of micro and macronutrients but historically, even though there may appear to be similarities, media with new names have been established when representing a new class of group of plants, as is the case in this study for Anthurium.…”