Comparison of semi-solid, liquid, and temporary immersion bioreactor systems for efficient plant regeneration of Gerbera jamesonii cv. ‘Shy Pink’

Abstract

Temporary immersion system (TIS) cultures are reported to be superior when compared to semi-solid (SS) and liquid cultures for in vitro plant regeneration of many plant species. In the present study, we used the TIS system for plant regeneration of Gerbera jemesonii cv. ‘Shy Pink’ and compared the results with that of SS and liquid cultures. The shoots regenerated with SS and liquid cultures demonstrated 3.33 and 4.22% hyperhydricity, whereas the shoots regenerated with TIS were healthy even though the number of shoots regenerated was less in number. The plantlets regenerated with TIS demonstrated higher values with the number of roots, root length, biomass of plantlets, leaf length/width, and area compared to SS and liquid cultures. The photosynthetic pigments were highest in Gerbera jemesonii cv. ‘Shy Pink’ plants were regenerated with TIS. The number of stomata on the abaxial surface of leaves was 11.40 and the frequency of closed stomata was 59% with plants regenerated with TIS. Furthermore, Gerbera jemesonii cv. ‘Shy Pink’ showed the highest survival of plants that were regenerated in TIS compared to SS and liquid cultures. TIS was found as the most suitable culture system for the micropropagation of Gerbera jemesonii cv. ‘Shy Pink’ compared to SS and liquid cultures.