Promising Application of Automated Liquid Culture System and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi for Large-Scale Micropropagation of Red Dragon Fruit

Abstract

Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is an economic and promising fruit crop in arid and semi-arid regions with water shortage. An automated liquid culture system using bioreactors is a potential tool for micropropagation and large-scale production. In this study, axillary cladode multiplication of H. polyrhizus was assessed using cladode tips and cladode segments in gelled culture versus continuous immersion air-lift bioreactors (with or without a net). Axillary multiplication using cladode segments (6.4 cladodes per explant) was more effective than cladode tip explants (4.5 cladodes per explant) in gelled culture. Compared with gelled culture, continuous immersion bioreactors provided high axillary cladode multiplication (45.9 cladodes per explant) with a higher biomass and length of axillary cladodes. Inoculation of H. polyrhizus micropropagated plantlets with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Gigaspora margarita and Gigaspora albida) significantly increased the vegetative growth during acclimatization. These findings will improve the large-scale propagation of dragon fruit.

Influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Growth and Development of Micropropagated Rubus fruticosus ‘P45’ Plants during Acclimatization

“…The root growth parameters of AMF-treated blackberry plants (i.e., root length, total root length per plantlet, surface area of roots, root volume, number root tips per plantlet, and fresh and dry weights of roots) also showed a general increasing trend (Table 1). It has been previously reported that inoculation with G. margarita and G. albida significantly improved growth and root development in micropropagated plantlets of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) (Dewir et al 2023a) and lacy tree philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) (Dewir et al 2023b). Supplementation of micropropagated apple plants with Glomus etunicatum, Scutellospora pellucida, Acaulospora scrobiculata, and Scutellospora heterograma led to increased plant height, shoot biomass, and root biomass (Cavallazzi et al 2007).…”

“…Additionally, AMF protect host plants from parasites, pathogenic fungi, and nematodes by stimulating them to produce defensive compounds and increasing the area of exploration of the roots, thus increasing the flow of water from the soil to the plant, as well as by enhancing the physical and chemical properties of the soil through the addition of organic matter and formation of aggregates through the adhesion of soil particles Smith 2011a, 2011b). AMF have been successfully used to improve the acclimatization and growth of micropropagated fruit-bearing species such as walnut (Mortier et al 2020), strawberry (Taylor and Harrier 2001), pomegranate (Singh et al 2012), prunus (Monticelli et al 2000), apple (Cavallazzi et al 2007), and red dragon fruit (Dewir et al 2023a).…”

Developing novel techniques for efficient Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Inoculum Production

“…In the field of agriculture, the utilization of bioreactors has seen significant growth in the production of AMF inocula. They provide a controlled environment for the mass production of AMF, which are advantageous for establishing symbiotic relationships with plant roots, facilitating nutrient uptake, and improving plant growth [7]. With the growing demand for sustainable farming practices, the utilization of AMF inocula has become increasingly crucial in contemporary agricultural systems.…”

Antioxidant Activity and Seasonal Variations in the Composition of Insoluble Fiber from the Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller: Development of New Extraction Procedures to Improve Fiber Yield

“…Dietary fiber positively affects the physiology of both humans and animals. Soluble fibers, which dissolve in an aqueous solution, include pectins, mucilages, and certain types of hemicellulose and possess hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hypocholesterolemic properties [ 28 ]. Insoluble fibers, which include cellulose and hemicellulose, play the role of maintaining the regulation of intestinal function, modulating peristalsis, controlling pH, and contributing to the prevention of gastrointestinal disease [ 29 ].…”