-Which are
the main impediments for Bamboo multiplication?
Bamboos
propagate naturally in two different ways: either through seeds as sexual
reproduction or by culms or rhizome as vegetative propagation [1]. One of the
main impediments for bamboo is that sexual reproduction through seeds is not
fix and can take place every ten years or more, making it very seldom [2].
Moreover is the reproduction followed by death of the plant and seeds have a
short viability, therefore leading to precarious spreading conditions [1]. Vegetative
propagation through offset cuttings of rhizome or culms can be used but are not
efficient enough for extensive multiplication. Given those characteristics, an
in vitro multiplication of Bamboo for a large scale production makes sense and
studies on this matter have been undertaken, for instance by Venkatachalam et
al.
- Which
measures can be taken to establish an efficient in vitro propagation system?
To
establish an efficient in vitro propagation it is necessary to have a good
starting material, for example a proven seed of the chosen specie. This
material must be thoroughly disinfected to avoid any bacterial or fungal
contamination prior to cultivate it on a chosen media. To chose this media,
systematic experimentations are made with different concentrations of
chemicals, hormones and plant growth regulators to find the best media
corresponding to each stage of desired growth (i.e. shoot bud initiation,
multiplication, regeneration, etc…). After germination, nodal explants are used
for shoot bud initiation and then multiplied on chosen media. Once the
multiplication is successfully done, a hardening and acclimatization are
necessary before transferring the plants to the field.
- Cocos
milk or similar natural compounds seem to be effective ingredients for in vitro
cultures. Are there any disadvantages too?
Coconut
water contains among other substances cytokinines, auxines, leucoanthocyanines
and bioactive enzymes which have growth regulatory properties, making it a very
useful compounds to promote cell division and rapid growth during shoot
multiplication [1, 3]. However at higher concentration it can have an inhibitory
effect and can cause vitrification of the roots [1]. Therefore concentrations
have to be measured to know the concentration that will vary from one plant to
another.
References:
[1] P.
Venkatachalam, K. Kalaiarasi, S. Sreeramanan, Influence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and various additives on in
vitro plant propagation of Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Wild: A recalcitrant bamboo species. Journal of Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology (2015) 13, 193–200
