Strigolactone (GR24) mediated in vitro flowering, seed production, and regeneration of plants in Hedyotis biflora (L.) Lam
Hedyotis biflora is an important species of the Rubiaceae family, characterised by seed dormancy and low germination rate. The application of strigolactone analogue GR24 has a positive impact on in vitroreproductive growth in plants, thereby overcoming the reproductive barriers. Therefore, the present research aimed to investigate the effects of GR24 on inducing in vitro flowering, fruiting, and viable seed settings in H. biflora. The addition of 0.25 mg L−1 GR24 in the Murashige and Skoog medium with 1.0 mg L−16-benzylaminopurine, 0.5 mg L−1 kinetin, and 0.1 mg L−1 indole-3 acetic acid exerted a positive impact on in vitro reproductive growth. This treatment induced flowering in 92 ± 2.5% of cultures (12.3 ± 2.0 flowers per shoot/inflorescence). Viable pollen development was determined microscopically with a pollen germination rate of 97.2 ± 1.4%. The in vitro floral buds were morphometrically similar to in vivo flowers. Remarkably, the seeds obtained in vitro demonstrated 100% germination. The seed-derived shoots were effectively proliferated and rooted. These plantlets showed a 96% survival rate in the field, with normal flowering and fruiting. The results indicate that GR24 application could induce year-round flowering and help overcome seed setting and germination challenges in H. biflora.
Successful development of plantlets in micropropagation of tree species is impeded by the shoot tip necrosis (STN), as it hinders the normal activity of the apical and axillary meristems. In the…
Hedyotis biflora is an important species of the Rubiaceae family, characterised by seed dormancy and low germination rate. The application of strigolactone analogue GR24 has a…
Lycium shawii Roem. & Schult., a stress-resilient medicinal plant native to the deserts of Saudi Arabia, possesses notable bioactive compounds used in traditional medicine for…