Abstract
Various bioreactors, using temporary immersion systems (TIS) based on different designs and working principles, can have positive effects on development and multiplication of plantlets during micropropagation. Both number and quality of propagules produced in the TIS, when compared to those from a semisolid medium micropropagation system, may vary substantially depending upon both plant species and bioreactor type. This study compared the in vitro propagation performance of both Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking’ and Cordyline fruticosa 'Purple' grown in the Plantform™ Bioreactor TIS system and on a semisolid medium system. The number of shoots per explant increased significantly in the bioreactor system compared to the semisolid medium system for both species although some of the shoots of cordyline were not marketable. In the Plantform™ Bioreactor culture, the multiplication rate for cordyline was 8.9 marketable shoots per production cycle vs 2.2 marketable shoots produced on semisolid medium, a 400% increase. For aronia grown in the Plantform™ Bioreactor culture, the multiplication rate was 11.9 shoots per production cycle vs 6.6 shoots produced on semisolid medium, a 180% increase. Additionally, shoots of both species grown in the Plantform™ Bioreactor system demonstrated significant increases in both total shoot fresh and dry weights. Some cordyline shoots also demonstrated various hyperhydricity symptoms and leaf curling and necrosis in the TIS production cycles; further experimentation needs to be conducted to address this issue before the system can be recommended for this crop. The Plantform™ Bioreactor system can be recommended for improved micropropagation of Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking’ since the numbers of shoots were substantially increased and there were no abnormalities of the shoots or leaves as compared to those produced on a semisolid medium system.
