Posada PL, Gómez KR, Padrón MY, González OJ, Rodríguez SR

Language: English
References: 0
Page: 3501-3504
PDF size: 803.95 Kb.

ABSTRACT

In papaya, the low rooting capacity of in vitro cultivated plants increases their mortality rates during ex vitro acclimatization, further limiting the exploitation of this plant regeneration system, especially for the elite cultivar ‘Maradol Roja’. Here we report the establishment of a methodology for plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis (SE) from immature zygotic embryos, what supports high survival and high genetic homogeneity of the regenerated plants (as determined by AFLP). It was demonstrated the expression of AUX/LAX and PIN genes coding for auxin polar transporters at different stages of SE, a novel aspect for this crop. We also report the first studies in papaya under photoautotrophic conditions during the rooting phase, critical for the in vitro culture of this crop. The use of growth regulators Pectimorf® and phloroglucinol, zeolite as support, and culture flasks with increased ventilation for rooting and in vitro acclimatization, derived in positive effects on ex vitro acclimatization. The incorporation of the RITA® temporary immersion system to the methodology guarantees the high efficiency of the SE system. These are novel and promising findings which make more efficient the in vitro regeneration system. The results are also unprecedented in papaya, particularly for the ‘Maradol Roja’ cultivar of high commercial value. This work granted the Annual Award of the National Academy of Sciences of Cuba for the year 2016.