Developing a scale-up system for the micropropagation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.): the effect of growth retardants, liquid culture and vessel size

• Published in: Plant cell reports Vol. 21; no. 6; pp. 538 - 548
• Main Authors: KONSTAS, J, KINTZIOS, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-02-2003; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acclimatization - physiology; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - metabolism; Ascorbic Acid - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Bioreactors; Calcium - metabolism; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Cucumis sativus - drug effects; Cucumis sativus - embryology; Cucumis sativus - physiology; Culture Media - pharmacology; Culture Techniques; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Morphogenesis - drug effects; Nitrates - metabolism; Phenols; Phenols - metabolism; Phosphates - metabolism; Plant Growth Regulators - pharmacology; Regeneration - drug effects; Retardants; Sugar; Acclimatization; Bioreactor; Cucumis sativus; Flurprimidol Liquid culture
• ISSN: 0721-7714; 1432-203X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00299-002-0566-5

We investigated the effect of the growth retardant flurprimidol, the phase of the culture medium (solid versus liquid) and the size of the liquid culture vessel (250-ml flask versus 2.5-l airlift bioreactor) on the micropropagation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) from nodal explants. Flurprimidol at concentrations of 0.1-2 mg l(-1) caused considerable growth retardation but increased, albeit slightly, the number of branches and buds and stimulated (solid medium) or reduced (liquid medium) the accumulation of NO(3)-and PO(4)(3-). Flurprimidol had varying effects on the accumulation of soluble sugars and antioxidant compounds. Bioreactor-derived plants showed an increased fresh weight and size but a decreased content of macronutrients, solid sugars, ascorbic acid and free antioxidant phenolics. The majority (95%) of the plants were successfully acclimatized after being graft on squash. The perspective for an efficient, commercial-level use of bioreactors in combination with growth retardants of this commercially important vegetable species is discussed.