It’s well known the effectiveness of micropropagation for massive production of high-quality plants or for valuable germplasm conservation. In addition, an increasing interest about the encapsulation technology could be proposed: the use of capsules and synthetic seeds could represent an efficient tool to optimize the plant management systems. In this direction, the aim of our work was to confirm and improve preliminary knowledge regarding the vitro-derived propagule encapsulation of mulberry (Morus nigra L.), an interesting tree cultivated for food and ornamental uses. A first experiment was carried out in order to monitor the performances of capsules after a low temperature storage time, since the plant material conservation represents an important step of specific processes of plant management in the nursery activity. Therefore, uninodal portions (microcuttings) excised from proliferated shoots were encapsulated in a calcium alginate matrix and then stored at 4°C in dark conditions for different periods (0, 30, 90, 180 and 360 days). A second preliminary experiment was conducted with the aim to turn the capsules of black mulberry in synthetic seeds by using a simple procedure. Consequently, the microcuttings (unipolar propagules) were treated with an indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution before or after the encapsulation. Viability and regrowth of capsules were examined after the sowing in aseptic conditions (I experiment); in addition, at the end of the second experiment the conversion of synthetic seeds was evaluated. The most significant results in terms of viability and regrowth of capsules were registered after 180 days of storage (respectively 82.5 and 72.5%). In the second experiment, the application of not expensive rooting inductive procedures allowed to achieve almost 50% of conversion, showing the possibility to simply turn capsules of black mulberry in synthetic seeds and proving their ‘multifunctionality’. These preliminary results seem to clearly confirm that the use of capsules and synthetic seeds for efficient management of black mulberry material is possible, even if further studies in order to widen the storage period (both for nursery activities and germplasm conservation), as well as to maximize the conversion level of the synthetic seeds not only in aseptic conditions but in ex vitro environment too are necessary.

Encapsulation of black mulberry microcuttings: studies on capsules and synthetic seeds

MICHELI, Maurizio
;
GARDI, Tiziano;
2017

Abstract

It’s well known the effectiveness of micropropagation for massive production of high-quality plants or for valuable germplasm conservation. In addition, an increasing interest about the encapsulation technology could be proposed: the use of capsules and synthetic seeds could represent an efficient tool to optimize the plant management systems. In this direction, the aim of our work was to confirm and improve preliminary knowledge regarding the vitro-derived propagule encapsulation of mulberry (Morus nigra L.), an interesting tree cultivated for food and ornamental uses. A first experiment was carried out in order to monitor the performances of capsules after a low temperature storage time, since the plant material conservation represents an important step of specific processes of plant management in the nursery activity. Therefore, uninodal portions (microcuttings) excised from proliferated shoots were encapsulated in a calcium alginate matrix and then stored at 4°C in dark conditions for different periods (0, 30, 90, 180 and 360 days). A second preliminary experiment was conducted with the aim to turn the capsules of black mulberry in synthetic seeds by using a simple procedure. Consequently, the microcuttings (unipolar propagules) were treated with an indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution before or after the encapsulation. Viability and regrowth of capsules were examined after the sowing in aseptic conditions (I experiment); in addition, at the end of the second experiment the conversion of synthetic seeds was evaluated. The most significant results in terms of viability and regrowth of capsules were registered after 180 days of storage (respectively 82.5 and 72.5%). In the second experiment, the application of not expensive rooting inductive procedures allowed to achieve almost 50% of conversion, showing the possibility to simply turn capsules of black mulberry in synthetic seeds and proving their ‘multifunctionality’. These preliminary results seem to clearly confirm that the use of capsules and synthetic seeds for efficient management of black mulberry material is possible, even if further studies in order to widen the storage period (both for nursery activities and germplasm conservation), as well as to maximize the conversion level of the synthetic seeds not only in aseptic conditions but in ex vitro environment too are necessary.
2017
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11391/1297099
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