Study on lateral buds induction and culture of Huperzia serrata / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: Due to the low reproductive capacity and scarce resources of Huperzia serrata, and in vitro culture of H. serrata has not been really successful, we wish to make a good progress in rapid propagation in this study. Methods: Living shoot tips were used as the materials, after a variety of surface sterilization, malachite green and AAS were used to eliminate the endophytic fungi of the seedling. Then, the aseptic seedlings were transplanted to the medium with 1/2 MS + 25 g/L sucrose to be cultured. After the new dichotomous branching occurred, and the branches grew to 4-5 cm high, we cut it and subcultured for the new dichotomous branching. Results: After four times of subculture of dichotomous branching, the aseptic seedlings got the different number of proliferating lateral buds, which came from the middle or top of the stem. Comparing the structure of lateral buds with the gemma, we found it was significantly different from the gemma. The number of lateral buds from different individuals was different, the most lateral buds could get to 14 in one seedling, some lateral bud generating point can produce two or more lateral buds. After removing the apical dominance of stem tip, the lateral buds in the middle of the stem grew faster. The surviving rate of different height lateral buds was different when they separated from the stock plant. Lateral buds which beyond 5 mm, the surviving rate could get 90%, while cultured in medium of 1/2 MS + 30 g/L sucrose, after 120 d, it grew into seedling about 2-3 cm high, lateral buds less 5 mm had high mortality with the same cultured medium. Conclusion: Though in vitro culture, H. serrata can break the reproductive way by which the leaf axil could generate spore only but no lateral bud naturally, and can produce the multiple lateral bud proliferation. The lateral buds can easily produce adventitious roots by stripping, which could provide an important view for rapid reproduction of H. serrata.