Indirect organogenesis for high frequency shoot regeneration of two cultivars of Sansevieria trifasciata Prain differing in fiber production.

Sansevieria trifasciata is used as an indoor plant, in traditional medicine and as a fiber source. Here we characterized fibers of two of varieties of S. trifasciata, Lorentii and Hahnii, and report a protocol for their propagation based on indirect shoot organogenesis. Structural and ribbon fibers were scattered within leaf parenchyma when viewed with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Chemical analysis of the fibers by mass spectrometry and high-performance chromatography revealed higher contents of cellulose and xylose in Lorentii than in Hahnii and significant differences for total lignin between both. A protocol for de novo shoot production was then developed using leaf explants. Time-course histological analyses showed that the first events of transdifferentiation were triggered preferentially in cells surrounding fibers and vascular bundles. Callogenesis and shoot performances were quantified for both varieties, and 2,4-D at 2 and 3 mg·L-1 yielded the best results for primary calli induction and fresh calli mass. The length, number, and mass of shoots produced did not differ significantly between the two cultivars. The fast morphogenic response of S. trifasciata to in vitro culture may be useful for mass propagation or other biotechnological purposes such as metabolite production.

Resiliencia de la cobertura vegetal en el Suroeste de México ante los efectos del cambio climático / Resilience of vegetation cover in Southwest Mexico to the climate change effects

Resumen El modelado de escenarios de cambios climáticos utilizando sistemas de información geográfica para estimar la resiliencia de la cobertura vegetal es una herramienta útil para proyectar impactos futuros e implementar estrategias de conservación o manejo. En el presente trabajo asociamos espacialmente la biodiversidad de la cobertura vegetal del Suroeste de México con su capacidad para adaptarse a los efectos del cambio climático. Para analizar esta asociación se estimaron índices de riqueza y diversidad de especies, y su relación con escenarios de clima futuro. Se utilizaron los registros geográficos del Inventario Nacional Forestal y de Suelos para ocho comunidades vegetales (arbórea, arbustiva, herbácea, palma, cactus, bejucos, helechos y xerófita) distribuidas entre Guerrero, Oaxaca y Chiapas. La proyección climática fue al 2050, con modelos de circulación global A2 (promedio CCCMA, HADCM3 y CSIRO), 19 variables bioclimáticas y una resolución de 2.5 minutos. Los escenarios de cambio climático se modelaron con el algoritmo MaxEnt y la riqueza de especies, índice de diversidad y regresiones espaciales con el software Diva-GIS v7.5. Los modelos de regresión espacial estimaron que a mayor riqueza y diversidad de especies mayor seria la resiliencia que mostraría el ecosistema. Las comunidades vegetales cactus, palma y xerófita mostraron mayor vulnerabilidad al cambio climático. Las variaciones en la estacionalidad de la temperatura resultó ser el factor que condicionaría su distribución futura. Por lo que, las estrategias de conservación o manejo deberían considerar a la diversidad como un agente del ecosistema que amortiguaría a los efectos negativos del clima futuro.

Abstract The scenarios modeling of climate changes using geographic information systems to estimate the vegetation cover resilience is a useful tool to project future impacts and implement conservation or management strategies. We associate spatially the biodiversity of the vegetation cover of Southwest Mexico with its ability to adapt to the effects of climate change. We analysis this association estimating species richness and diversity indices, and its relationship with scenarios of future climate. Geographical records of the National Forest and Soil Inventory were obtained for eight plant communities (arboreal, shrubby, herbaceous, palm, cactus, vines, ferns, and xerophyte) distributed in Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. The climatic projection was to 2050, with global circulation A2 models (CCCMA, HADCM3 and CSIRO average), 19 bioclimatic variables and a resolution of 2.5 minutes. Climate change scenarios were modelled with the MaxEnt algorithm and species richness, diversity index, and spatial regressions with Diva-GIS v7.5 software. The spatial regression models estimated that higher richness and species diversity, the greater resilience that the ecosystem would show. The cactus, palm, and xerophytic plant communities presented greater vulnerability to climate change. Variations in temperature seasonality turned out to be the factor that would condition its future distribution. Therefore, in conservation or management strategies, diversity should be considered as an agent of the ecosystem that cushions the negative effects of future climate.