Rhizome buds explants the key for the in vitro culture of Asparagus species

C. L. ENCINA; E. CARMONA MARTÍN; J. J. REGALADO

Vienna

Congreso; Vienna International Science Conference & Events Association (VISCEA) III- Plants In Vitro: Theory and Practice; 2016

AbstractAsparagus is considered an in vitro recalcitrant species. The difficulty to root the plantlets being one of the most important problems found on the in vitro culture of Asparagus. The use of rhizome buds explants (RBE) has allowed the optimization of different in vitro methods due to their rooting capability. Further somaclonal variation has never been detected after the plantlet recovery from RBE regenerated in vitro. These protocols are valid for most of the species belonging to subgenus Asparagus, not only for A. officinalis. Due their underground localization, the disinfection of the RBE is very important to succeed on the development of protocols in vitro.The first protocol developed was the rapid micropropagation with high success rates for different Asparagus genotypes. This method is also vital for Asparagus breeding, micropropagation and germplasm preservation of different species, including species risking extinction. Also the polyploidization of RBE can overcome some incompatibility barriers on interspecific crossing between species with different ploidy and generate autopolyploid plants with better agronomical traits. The rhizome buds can also be used with high success rates in Asparagus germplasm cryopreservation and regeneration.