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Brassavola tuberculata Hook.: in vitro growth and ex vitro establishment as a function of the micropropagation system and sucrose

Brassavola tuberculata Hook.: crescimento in vitro e estabelecimento ex vitro em função do sistema de micropropagação e da sacarose

Abstract

This study examines the in vitro growth and ex vitro establishment of Brassavola tuberculata in relation to the micropropagation system and sucrose concentration employed in the in vitro culture. A completely randomized experimental design was utilized, employing a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement. The experimental period began with seedlings cultivated in vitro for 180 days, which were subsequently transferred to Murashige and Skoog culture media containing sucrose concentrations of 0, 15, 30, 45, or 60 g L-1. The cultures were subjected to two micropropagation systems: conventional and gas exchange. After 90 days of in vitro cultivation, the plants were evaluated, transplanted into a substrate, and placed in a screened nursery for ex vitro cultivation. After 300 days of ex vitro cultivation, the survival and initial characteristics of the plants were assessed. The micropropagation system allowing gas exchange and sucrose concentrations up to 30 g L-1 enhanced the shoot and root growth of in vitro propagated plants. No noticeable anatomical differences were observed after 90 days of in vitro culture among the different sucrose concentrations and micropropagation systems used. In the ex vitro establishment, irrespective of sucrose concentration, the micropropagation system facilitating gas exchange positively influenced all evaluated characteristics.

Keywords:
in vitro cultivation; photoautotrophic; photomixotrophic; acclimatization; ornamental horticulture; native species

Resumo

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o crescimento in vitro e estabelecimento ex vitro de Brassavola tuberculata em função do sistema de micropropagação e da concentração de sacarose utilizados no cultivo in vitro. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado e os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 x 5. Para o início do período experimental, foram utilizadas plântulas cultivadas in vitro por 180 dias, sendo transferidas para meios de cultivo Murashige e Skoog contendo 0, 15, 30, 45 ou 60 g L-1 de sacarose, e as culturas submetidas a dois sistemas de micropropagação: convencional ou com troca gasosa. Após 90 dias de cultivo in vitro, as plantas foram avaliadas e na sequência plantadas em substrato e acondicionadas em viveiro telado para o cultivo ex vitro. Após 300 dias de cultivo ex vitro, as plantas foram avaliadas quanto à sobrevivência e às mesmas características iniciais. A utilização do sistema de micropropagação que permite trocas gasosas, em conjunto com concentrações de sacarose de até 30 g L-1, proporcionou aumento no crescimento de parte aérea e do sistema radicular das plantas propagadas in vitro. As diferentes concentrações de sacarose e os sistemas de micropropagação utilizados não apresentaram diferenças anatômicas perceptíveis aos 90 dias de cultivo in vitro. Já no estabelecimento ex vitro, independente da utilização de sacarose, o sistema de micropropagação que permite trocas gasosas influenciou positivamente todas as características avaliadas.

Palavras-chave:
cultivo in vitro; fotoautotrófico; fotomixotrófico; aclimatização; horticultura ornamental; espécie nativa

1. Introduction

The Orchidaceae family is recognized as one of the largest and most representative plant families among angiosperms, comprising species of high ornamental, nutritional, and pharmacological value. However, due to the extraction of native orchids driven by their captivating flowers, their populations have declined in various biomes. Consequently, many species have become vulnerable due to the systematic destruction of their habitats (Sasamori et al., 2020SASAMORI, M.H., ENDRES-JÚNIOR, D. and DROSTE, A., 2020. Conservation of Vriesea flammea LB Sm., an endemic Brazilian bromeliad: effects of nutrients and carbon source on plant development. Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista Brasileira de Biologia, vol. 80, no. 2, pp. 437-448. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.215276. PMid:31291407.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.2152...
; Soares et al., 2020SOARES, J.S., SORGATO, J.C. and RIBEIRO, L.M., 2020. Protocolo para germinação assimbiótica e desenvolvimento inicial de protocormos de orquídeas nativas do Cerrado brasileiro. Rodriguésia, vol. 71, pp. e01332018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860202071095.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2175-786020207...
; Nongdam et al., 2023NONGDAM, P., BELESKI, D.G., TIKENDRA, L., DEY, A., VARTE, V., EL MERZOUGUI, S., PEREIRA, V.M., BARROS, P.R. and VENDRAME, W.A., 2023. Orchid micropropagation using conventional semi-solid and temporary immersion systems: a review. Plants, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 1136. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136. PMid:36904000.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136...
).

The genus Brassavola, widely distributed throughout Brazil, possesses remarkable ornamental potential and resilience. Consequently, it is among the genera most threatened by unregulated collection and holds commercial interest for hybrid production (Xu et al., 2022XU, J.J., BELESKI, D.G. and VENDRAME, W.A., 2022. Effects of culture media and plant growth regulators on in vitro propagation of Brassavola nodosa. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology. Plant, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 931-941. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11627-022-10276-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11627-022-102...
; Vendrame et al., 2023VENDRAME, W.A., XU, J.J. and BELESKI, D.G., 2023. Micropropagation of Brassavola nodosa (L.) Lindl. using SETIS™ bioreactor. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 153, no. 1, pp. 67-76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-022-02441-y.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-022-024...
). Brassavola tuberculata Hook. stands out as a prominent species within this genus.

Therefore, strategies for propagation and conservation must ensure the survival of these plants in their natural habitats while providing plant material for commercial production. In this regard, in vitro cultivation presents a viable alternative as it enables the conservation of pathogen-free material, production of elite plants, and maintenance of genetic diversity in the short, medium, and long term (Teixeira da Silva et al., 2017TEIXEIRA DA SILVA, J.A., HOSSAIN, M.M., SHARMA, M., DOBRÁNSZKI, J., CARDOSO, J.C. and ZENG, S., 2017. Acclimatization of in vitro-derived Dendrobium. Horticultural Plant Journal, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 110-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07.009.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07....
; Soares et al., 2020SOARES, J.S., SORGATO, J.C. and RIBEIRO, L.M., 2020. Protocolo para germinação assimbiótica e desenvolvimento inicial de protocormos de orquídeas nativas do Cerrado brasileiro. Rodriguésia, vol. 71, pp. e01332018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860202071095.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2175-786020207...
; Nongdam et al., 2023NONGDAM, P., BELESKI, D.G., TIKENDRA, L., DEY, A., VARTE, V., EL MERZOUGUI, S., PEREIRA, V.M., BARROS, P.R. and VENDRAME, W.A., 2023. Orchid micropropagation using conventional semi-solid and temporary immersion systems: a review. Plants, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 1136. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136. PMid:36904000.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136...
; Vendrame et al., 2023VENDRAME, W.A., XU, J.J. and BELESKI, D.G., 2023. Micropropagation of Brassavola nodosa (L.) Lindl. using SETIS™ bioreactor. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 153, no. 1, pp. 67-76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-022-02441-y.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-022-024...
).

In vitro propagation offers several advantages over conventional propagation methods. However, it still faces technical and economic limitations, including high production costs, shortage of skilled labor, and the inability of plants with morphophysiological changes to survive in ex vitro environments. Consequently, scaling up production becomes challenging (Miranda et al., 2020MIRANDA, N.A., XAVIER, A., OTONI, W.C., GALLO, R., GATTI, K.C., MOURA, L.C., SOUZA, D.M.S.C., MAGGIONI, J.H. and SANTOS, S.S.O., 2020. Quality and intensity of light in the In Vitro development of microstumps of Eucalyptus urophylla in a photoautotrophic system. Forest Science, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 754-760. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxaa027.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxaa027...
; Nongdam et al., 2023NONGDAM, P., BELESKI, D.G., TIKENDRA, L., DEY, A., VARTE, V., EL MERZOUGUI, S., PEREIRA, V.M., BARROS, P.R. and VENDRAME, W.A., 2023. Orchid micropropagation using conventional semi-solid and temporary immersion systems: a review. Plants, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 1136. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136. PMid:36904000.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136...
).

Despite the widespread use of in vitro cultivation techniques for orchids, the in vitro propagation of Brassavola species still lacks established protocols, primarily due to the limited number of studies focused on these species (Pereira et al., 2022PEREIRA, S.T.S., SORGATO, J.C., VENDRAME, W.A., FARIA, R.T. and PIVETTA, K.F.L., 2022. Light and culture medium formulations for in vitro germination and development of Brassavola perrinii. Revista Ciência Agronômica, vol. 53, no. e20207362, pp. 1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1806-6690.20220037.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1806-6690.2022...
; Xu et al., 2022XU, J.J., BELESKI, D.G. and VENDRAME, W.A., 2022. Effects of culture media and plant growth regulators on in vitro propagation of Brassavola nodosa. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology. Plant, vol. 58, no. 6, pp. 931-941. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11627-022-10276-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11627-022-102...
; Vendrame et al., 2023VENDRAME, W.A., XU, J.J. and BELESKI, D.G., 2023. Micropropagation of Brassavola nodosa (L.) Lindl. using SETIS™ bioreactor. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 153, no. 1, pp. 67-76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-022-02441-y.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-022-024...
). Regarding B. tuberculata, only a few scientific articles have been published on its in vitro germination (Herrmann et al., 2011HERRMANN, M.H., FREITAS, E.M. and PÉRICO, E., 2011. Cultivo in vitro de plântulas de orquídea em meio de cultura alternativo. Current Agricultural Science and Technology, vol. 17, no. 1-4, pp. 162-166.; Soares et al., 2012SOARES, J.S., ROSA, Y.B.C.J., MACEDO, M.C., SORGATO, J.C., ROSA, D.B.C.J. and ROSA, C., 2012. Cultivo in vitro de Brassavola tuberculata (Orchidaceae) em meio de cultura alternativo suplementado com diferentes concentrações de açúcar e carvão ativado. Magistra, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 226-233., 2020SOARES, J.S., SORGATO, J.C. and RIBEIRO, L.M., 2020. Protocolo para germinação assimbiótica e desenvolvimento inicial de protocormos de orquídeas nativas do Cerrado brasileiro. Rodriguésia, vol. 71, pp. e01332018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860202071095.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2175-786020207...
; Rosa et al., 2013ROSA, Y.B.C.J., MARQUES JÚNIOR, G.A., SOARES, J.S., ROSA, D.B.C.J., MACEDO, M.C. and CEZAR, A.M.A., 2013. Estudo da viabilidade de sementes de Brassavola tuberculata Hook. em função do período de armazenamento, tempo de cultivo e tratamento pré-germinativo. Ornamental Horticulture (Campinas), vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 155-160. http://dx.doi.org/10.14295/rbho.v19i2.655.
http://dx.doi.org/10.14295/rbho.v19i2.65...
), seed storage and viability (Macedo et al., 2014MACEDO, M.C., ROSA, D.B.C.J., SOARES, J.S., TATARA, M.B., HOFFMANN, N.T.K. and ROSA, Y.B.C.J., 2014. Armazenamento de sementes e aclimatização de Brassavola tuberculata Hook. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 2883-2894. http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n6p2883.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2014...
; Soares et al., 2014SOARES, J.S., ROSA, Y.B.C.J., TATARA, M.B., SORGATO, J.C. and LEMES, C.S.R., 2014. Identificação da viabilidade de sementes de orquídeas pelo teste de tetrazólio. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, vol. 35, no. 5, pp. 275-284. http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n5p2275.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2014...
; Sousa et al., 2020SOUSA, G.G., OTUBO, B.M.R., SORGATO, J.C., SOARES, J.S. and RIBEIRO, L.M., 2020. Armazenamento de sementes e concentrações de ágar no cultivo in vitro de Brassavola tuberculata Hook. (Orchidaceae). Iheringia. Série Botânica, vol. 75, pp. E2020017. http://dx.doi.org/10.21826/2446-82312020v75e2020017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.21826/2446-82312020...
), multiplication and in vitro rooting (Mengarda et al., 2017MENGARDA, L.H.G., COLA, G.P.A., OLIVEIRA, S.C. and FREITAS, A.R., 2017. Multiplication, rooting in vitro, and acclimatization of Brassavola tuberculata Hook. (Orchidaceae), an orchid endemic to the brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Bioscience Journal, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 730-738. http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v33n3-32987.
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v33n3-3298...
), and ex vitro acclimatization (Sousa et al., 2015SOUSA, G.G., ROSA, Y.B.C.J., MACEDO, M.C. and SOARES, J.S., 2015. Aclimatização de Brassavola tuberculata com a utilização de ANA em diferentes substratos. Horticultura Brasileira, vol. 33, no. 02, pp. 208-215. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-053620150000200012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-05362015...
).

Given the commercial, ornamental, and environmental demands associated with the Orchidaceae family, there is a current pursuit for sustainable production using advanced and cost-effective techniques (Teixeira da Silva et al., 2017TEIXEIRA DA SILVA, J.A., HOSSAIN, M.M., SHARMA, M., DOBRÁNSZKI, J., CARDOSO, J.C. and ZENG, S., 2017. Acclimatization of in vitro-derived Dendrobium. Horticultural Plant Journal, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 110-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07.009.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07....
; Nongdam et al., 2023NONGDAM, P., BELESKI, D.G., TIKENDRA, L., DEY, A., VARTE, V., EL MERZOUGUI, S., PEREIRA, V.M., BARROS, P.R. and VENDRAME, W.A., 2023. Orchid micropropagation using conventional semi-solid and temporary immersion systems: a review. Plants, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 1136. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136. PMid:36904000.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136...
). Consequently, there is a need for adaptations in in vitro cultivation protocols, particularly for native species. These adaptations should aim to enhance productivity and promote the development of plants with morphophysiological characteristics conducive to their ex vitro establishment. In this regard, modifications to micropropagation systems, commonly heterotrophic, and sucrose concentrations in culture media can lead to desirable traits in propagated plants (Ferreira et al., 2017FERREIRA, W.M., VASCONCELOS, M.C., SILVA, C.C.N., OLIVEIRA, H.R. and SUZUKI, R.M., 2017. Asymbiotic germination, multiplication and development of Alatiglossum fuscopetalum (Orchidaceae) as affected by culture medium, sucrose and growth regulators. Iheringia. Série Botânica, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 57-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.21826/2446-8231201772106.
http://dx.doi.org/10.21826/2446-82312017...
; Ribeiro et al., 2019RIBEIRO, L.M., SORGATO, J.C., SCALON, S.P.Q., SOARES, J.S. and RIBEIRO, I.S., 2019. Influência da luz, ventilação natural e tamanho do frasco no crescimento e desenvolvimento de denphal (Orchidaceae). Agrária, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. e5957. http://dx.doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v14i3a5957.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v14i3a...
; Miranda et al., 2020MIRANDA, N.A., XAVIER, A., OTONI, W.C., GALLO, R., GATTI, K.C., MOURA, L.C., SOUZA, D.M.S.C., MAGGIONI, J.H. and SANTOS, S.S.O., 2020. Quality and intensity of light in the In Vitro development of microstumps of Eucalyptus urophylla in a photoautotrophic system. Forest Science, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 754-760. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxaa027.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxaa027...
; Santos et al., 2020SANTOS, G.C., CARDOSO, F.P., MARTINS, A.D., PASQUAL, M., OSSANI, P.C., QUEIROZ, J.M., REZENDE, R.A.L.S. and DÓRIA, J., 2020. Effect of light and sucrose on photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic micropropagation of Physalis angulate. Bioscience Journal, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 1353-1367. http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n4a2020-47738.
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n4a2020...
; Nongdam et al., 2023NONGDAM, P., BELESKI, D.G., TIKENDRA, L., DEY, A., VARTE, V., EL MERZOUGUI, S., PEREIRA, V.M., BARROS, P.R. and VENDRAME, W.A., 2023. Orchid micropropagation using conventional semi-solid and temporary immersion systems: a review. Plants, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 1136. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136. PMid:36904000.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/plants12051136...
).

Considering the above, numerous studies have explored the use of different micropropagation systems and sucrose concentrations in culture media for other cultivated species. However, this is the first study investigating the in vitro culture of B. tuberculata using photoheterotrophic, photoautotrophic, and photomixotrophic systems. Therefore, this study evaluates the in vitro growth and ex vitro establishment of B. tuberculata in relation to the micropropagation system and sucrose concentration employed in the culture.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. In vitro germination

The experiment was conducted at the In Vitro Culture Laboratory of Flowers and Ornamental Plants and the orchidarium of the School of Agricultural Sciences at the Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados. Ripe fruits of Brassavola tuberculata Hook. were used as the study material. The fruits were derived from manual pollination and obtained from matrices over ten years old grown in a nursery covered by two 50% shade screens. The irradiance level was maintained at 235 µmol m-2 s-1, with a mean temperature of 22.6 ± 5 ºC and relative humidity of 73.9 ± 10%. The plants were irrigated with rotary micro-sprinklers positioned one meter above the plants, providing a daily water depth of 1 mm.

A sample of 0.005 g of seeds was weighed, and a tetrazolium test was conducted following the methodology described by Soares et al. (2014)SOARES, J.S., ROSA, Y.B.C.J., TATARA, M.B., SORGATO, J.C. and LEMES, C.S.R., 2014. Identificação da viabilidade de sementes de orquídeas pelo teste de tetrazólio. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, vol. 35, no. 5, pp. 275-284. http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n5p2275.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2014...
to confirm viability. After confirming viability, another sample of 0.005 g of seeds was taken to an aseptic environment and disinfected according to Soares et al. (2020)SOARES, J.S., SORGATO, J.C. and RIBEIRO, L.M., 2020. Protocolo para germinação assimbiótica e desenvolvimento inicial de protocormos de orquídeas nativas do Cerrado brasileiro. Rodriguésia, vol. 71, pp. e01332018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2175-7860202071095.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2175-786020207...
to obtain the seed solution. For in vitro sowing, 1.0 mL of the suspension of disinfected seeds was inoculated in a culture flask with 60 mL of Murashige and Skoog culture medium (MS) with half the salt concentration (MS ½). The flasks had a capacity of 600 mL. The cultures were placed in a growth room with controlled temperature and photoperiod (25 ± 2 °C; 16 h) and an irradiance of 22 µmol m-2 s-1 provided by two white fluorescent lamps (6,500K).

2.2. In vitro growth

After 180 days of cultivation, the plants were standardized to a size of 4.0 ± 0.5 cm and subcultured in an aseptic environment to initiate the experimental period. Flasks with a capacity of 600 mL containing 60 mL of Murashige and Skoog culture medium (MS) solidified with 7.0 g L-1 of bacteriological agar (Himedia®, India) were used. The culture medium was supplemented with different sucrose concentrations (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 g L-1). The pH of the medium was adjusted to 5.8 using 0.1 M KOH before sterilization in an autoclave at 121 °C and 1 atm of pressure for 20 minutes. Each flask contained seven plants and was sealed with either a screw cap (conventional micropropagation system - CMS) or a screw cap with a hole and cotton filter (photoautotrophic or photomixotrophic micropropagation system with gas exchange - MSGE) to allow gas exchange.

After 90 days of subculture, the flasks were opened, and the plants were washed under running water to remove the culture medium. The plants were then evaluated using a digital caliper and precision scale to measure the number of leaves (NL), plant height (PLH) (mm), number of buds (NB), number of roots (NR), length of the largest root (LR) (mm), and fresh matter (FM) (g). The remaining culture medium in the flasks was heated until it returned to the liquid phase, and the pH was measured using a benchtop pH meter.

2.3. Visual anatomical analysis

To analyze the effects of the treatments on leaf tissues, samples from plants subjected to different micropropagation systems and sucrose concentrations were collected. Leaf fragments measuring 5 mm were cut from the central portion of the leaves. These fragments were fixed in F.A.A. (formaldehyde 35%, glacial acetic acid, and 50% ethanol) and stored in a refrigerator. The fragments were then progressively dehydrated in an alcohol series with tertiary butyl alcohol (Dankin & Hussey, 1985DANKIN, M.E. and HUSSEY, R.S. 1985. Staining and histopathological techniques in nematology. In: K. R. BARKER, C. C. CARTER and J. N. SASSER, ed. An advanced treatise on Meloidogyne. Raleigh: North Carolina State University, pp. 39-48.). After the dehydration process, the leaf fragments were infiltrated with paraffin and paraplast. Cross sections of 10-μm thickness were made using a manual rotary microtome. The sections were stained with safranin-orange G-fast Green FCF (Hagquist, 1974HAGQUIST, C.W., 1974. Preparation and care of microscope slides. The American Biology Teacher, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 414-417. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/4444888.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/4444888...
). The images were analyzed using the AxioVision version 3.1 computational application coupled to the micrometer eyepiece microscope.

2.4. Ex vitro growth

For the evaluation of ex vitro growth, the plants were transplanted into disposable transparent polypropylene containers with a capacity of 1,000 mL (20 x 10 x 5 cm). The containers were filled with a substrate consisting of one-third pink sphagnum moss (Agrolink, Holambra, Brazil) and two-thirds coconut fiber (Golden-Mix Chips, Amafibra) (1:1, v:v). After transplantation, the containers were placed in a protected nursery and maintained under the same conditions as the parent plants for 300 days.

Foliar fertilizations were conducted every 15 days using a solution of NPK 10:10:10 fertilizer at a concentration of 2.0 mL L-1, along with micronutrients including magnesium (0.025%), boron (0.02%), copper (0.05%), iron (0.10%), manganese (0.05%), molybdenum (0.0005%), and zinc (0.05%), with a maximum chlorine content of 0.025%. At zero, 30, and 60 days after transplanting, plants were preventively disinfected with O-S-dimethyl-N-acetyl-phosphoramidothioate (4 mg L-1) and mancozeb (4 mg L-1). Foliar fertilization and disinfestation were carried out using a backpack sprayer with a capacity of 5 L.

After 300 days of ex vitro cultivation, the plants were removed from the containers and washed under running water to remove the substrate. The plants were then evaluated for the same initial characteristics (NL, PLH, PD, NB, NR, LR, LF, and FM).In order to investigate the hypothesis of increased plant growth during the ex vitro stage, and according to the treatments to which plants were exposed in the in vitro stage, their increases (I) regarding the initial values were calculated using the expression I=VFVI. Where VI is the value of the variable before the plant was acclimatized, and VF is the value of the same variable after the ex vitro period, with its values expressed as a percentage and subjected to analysis of variance (Ribeiro et al., 2019RIBEIRO, L.M., SORGATO, J.C., SCALON, S.P.Q., SOARES, J.S. and RIBEIRO, I.S., 2019. Influência da luz, ventilação natural e tamanho do frasco no crescimento e desenvolvimento de denphal (Orchidaceae). Agrária, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. e5957. http://dx.doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v14i3a5957.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v14i3a...
).

2.5. Experimental design

A completely randomized experimental design was used with a 2 x 5 factorial design (two micropropagation systems and five sucrose concentrations) and five replicates of a culture flask with five plants each. The results were transformed using √ (x + 1) and subjected to analysis of variance. The Tukey test (p < 0.05) was used to compare the means of the quantitative factors. Regression curves were fitted to the significant factors. The statistical analysis was performed using the SISVAR software (Statistical Analysis Program v.5.3., Universidade Federal de Lavras, MG).

3. Results

3.1. In vitro growth

A significant effect was observed for the interaction between micropropagation systems and sucrose concentrations (p < 0.05) on the number of leaves (NL), buds (NB), length of the largest root (LR), fresh matter (FM), and pH of the culture media of B. tuberculata after 90 days of in vitro cultivation. Additionally, the micropropagation system had an isolated effect on plant height (PLH) and the number of roots (NR). The sucrose concentrations also had an isolated effect on NR.

Brassavola tuberculata plants exhibited higher NL, NB, FM, and pH when subjected to CMS. The calculated values included 26.95 leaves at a concentration of 17.12 g L-1 of sucrose, 9.28 shoots at a concentration of 17.59 g L-1 of sucrose, 0.47 g at a concentration of 17.16 g L-1 of sucrose, and a pH of 3.9 without the addition of sucrose. For LR, the highest calculated values were observed in MSGE when supplemented with 19.72 g L-1 of sucrose (32.21 mm) (Figure 1).

Figure 1
Number of leaves (NF), number of buds (NB), length of the largest root (LR), fresh matter (FM), and potential of hydrogen (pH) of Brassavola tuberculata Hook.. as a function of sucrose concentrations in the culture medium and micropropagation system. Conventional micropropagation system = CMS; micropropagation system with gas exchange = MSGE.

Regarding the isolated effect of the micropropagation system, it was observed that flasks under MSGE had larger plants (53.75 ± 19.40 mm) and a greater number of roots (4.97 ± 1.58 roots) (Figure 2).

Figure 2
In vitro growth of Brassavola tuberculataHook.: A) plant height (PLH) (mm); B) number of roots (NR) after 90 days of in vitro cultivation as a function of the micropropagation system, and (C) NR after 90 days of in vitro cultivation as a function of sucrose concentrations in the culture medium. Conventional micropropagation system = CMS; micropropagation system with gas exchange = MSGE.

Concerning the isolated effect of sucrose concentrations, plants grown in a culture medium supplemented with an average value of 34.37 g L-1 of sucrose showed a higher number of roots, with 5.02 roots (Figure 2C).

Figure 3 shows the variation in the morphological aspects of plants as a function of micropropagation systems and sucrose concentrations.

Figure 3
Brassavola tuberculata Hook. plants after 90 days of in vitro cultivation as a function of sucrose concentrations in the culture medium and micropropagation system. Conventional micropropagation system = CMS; micropropagation system with gas exchange = MSGE

3.2. Histological slides

According to Figure 4, the cross-section images of leaves indicated that the material was in good conservation condition. The different sucrose concentrations and micropropagation systems used did not visually show anatomical differences in plants after 90 days of in vitro cultivation.

Figure 4
Cross-section of the median part of Brassavola tuberculata Hook. leaves after 90 days of in vitro cultivation as a function of sucrose concentrations in the culture medium and micropropagation system. Conventional micropropagation system = CMS; micropropagation system with gas exchange = MSGE. XIL - xylem; PHLO - phloem; CUT - cuticle; EPI - epidermis; ADF - adaxial face; ABF - abaxial face; FVB - fibrovascular bundle; CHLO - chloroplast; CHLOR - chlorenchyma; RCA - rounded convex region, and GSA - grooved surface area.

The characteristics common to B. tuberculata were observed in all cross-sections, including a uni-stratified epidermis with irregularly shaped and sized cells, thick cell walls, and a smooth, continuous cuticle surface throughout the leaf. The secondary wall cells showed no thickening, and the fiber bundles were arranged from the leaf adaxial to the abaxial face, displaying good organization. The presence of chloroplasts was noted, with homogeneous mesophilic organization, equifacial and slightly elongated isodiametric epidermal cells in the paradermic view, and straight and thick anticlinal walls (Figure 4).

Although Brassavola leaves are terete, the adaxial face corresponds to the grooved surface area of the leaf, while the abaxial face corresponds to the convex and rounded region. The chlorenchyma is homogeneous, with polyhedral cells of irregular size and thin walls, without a clear distinction between lacunous and palisade cells. In the central rib region, the upper mesophile cells appear more isodiametric, while in the lower mesophile region throughout the leaf, the cells tend to lengthen their anticlinal walls. Moreover, regarding conduction, the layers of vascular bundles tend to follow the conduplicate shape of the leaf (Figure 4).

3.3. Ex vitro growth

After 300 days of ex vitro cultivation, the analysis of variance showed a significant effect of the interaction between micropropagation systems and sucrose concentrations (p < 0.05) on %SUR (survival), NL, NR, and LR. Furthermore, the micropropagation systems had an isolated effect on PLH and FM, while the effect of sucrose concentrations was observed only for PLH.

Regarding the interaction between micropropagation systems and sucrose concentrations, a higher %SUR was observed at the end of the experimental period when B. tuberculata plants were subjected to MSGE without sucrose in the culture medium, with %SUR = 82.32. MSGE without the addition of sucrose also provided the highest values for NL (46.73%).

For NR and LR, the highest calculated values were observed when using MSGE and a culture medium with 14.53 g L-1 of sucrose (169.85%) and 60.00 g L-1 of sucrose (234.40%), respectively (Figure 5).

Figure 5
Survival (%SUR) and increases (%) in the number of leaves (NL), number of roots (NR), and length of the largest root (LR) of Brassavola tuberculata Hook.. as a function of sucrose concentrations and micropropagation system. Conventional micropropagation system = CMS; micropropagation system with gas exchange = MSGE.

Regarding the isolated effect of micropropagation systems, plants submitted to CMS showed the highest values for PLH (57.59 ± 34.86%). However, the highest FM values (259.91 ± 128.00%) were observed using MSGE (Figure 6).

Figure 6
Increases in Brassavola tuberculata Hook..: A) plant height (PLH) (mm); B) fresh matter (FM) after 300 days of in vitro cultivation as a function of the micropropagation system, and (C) PLH after 300 days of in vitro cultivation as a function of sucrose concentrations in the culture medium. Conventional micropropagation system = CMS; micropropagation system with gas exchange = MSGE.

Regarding the isolated effect of sucrose concentrations in the culture medium, the highest increases in PLH (89.06%) were observed using 44.90 g L-1 of this sugar (Figure 6C).

According to Figure 7, the conditions of in vitro cultivation did not limit plant growth during the ex vitro period. In general, MSGE showed the highest results for almost all parameters evaluated, suggesting that this micropropagation system may be suitable for cultivating this species.

Figure 7
Brassavola tuberculata Hook. plants at 300 days of in vitro cultivation as a function of sucrose concentrations in the culture medium and micropropagation system. Conventional micropropagation system = CMS; micropropagation system with gas exchange = MSGE.

4. Discussion

4.1. In vitro growth

The observed results for NL in CMS suggest that its higher value may be related to the increased NB observed in the same treatment, leading to higher FM. This outcome could be attributed to the presence of ethylene gas and low CO2 concentrations in the hermetic environment of CMS, which functions as a heterotrophic system. Consequently, it can reduce plant height and photosynthetic pigment content, thereby influencing the tillering of in vitro-grown plants (Teixeira da Silva et al., 2017TEIXEIRA DA SILVA, J.A., HOSSAIN, M.M., SHARMA, M., DOBRÁNSZKI, J., CARDOSO, J.C. and ZENG, S., 2017. Acclimatization of in vitro-derived Dendrobium. Horticultural Plant Journal, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 110-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07.009.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07....
; Miranda et al., 2020MIRANDA, N.A., XAVIER, A., OTONI, W.C., GALLO, R., GATTI, K.C., MOURA, L.C., SOUZA, D.M.S.C., MAGGIONI, J.H. and SANTOS, S.S.O., 2020. Quality and intensity of light in the In Vitro development of microstumps of Eucalyptus urophylla in a photoautotrophic system. Forest Science, vol. 66, no. 6, pp. 754-760. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxaa027.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxaa027...
).

The results for LR, PLH, and NR in MSGE can be attributed to the utilization of this photomixotrophic propagation system, which enables gaseous exchange between the flask's interior and the atmospheric air, thus influencing the growth and development of in vitro plants (Silva et al., 2016SILVA, A.B., REIS, C.O., CAZETTA, J.O., CARLIN, S.D., LANDGRAF, P.R.C. and REIS, M.C., 2016. Effects of exogenous proline and a natural ventilation system on the in vitro growth of orchids. Bioscience Journal, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 619-626. http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v32n3a2016-31368.
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v32n3a2016...
; Fritsche et al., 2022FRITSCHE, Y., DEOLA, F., SILVA, D.A., HOLDERBAUM, D.F. and GUERRA, M.P., 2022. Cattleya tigrina (Orchidaceae) in vitro regeneration: main factors for optimal protocorm-like body induction and multiplication, plantlet regeneration, and cytogenetic stability. South African Journal of Botany, vol. 149, pp. 96-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2022.05.059.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2022.05...
)

These findings align with those of Ribeiro et al. (2019)RIBEIRO, L.M., SORGATO, J.C., SCALON, S.P.Q., SOARES, J.S. and RIBEIRO, I.S., 2019. Influência da luz, ventilação natural e tamanho do frasco no crescimento e desenvolvimento de denphal (Orchidaceae). Agrária, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. e5957. http://dx.doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v14i3a5957.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v14i3a...
, where Denphal plants cultivated in flasks with ventilation caps displayed superior growth characteristics compared to those grown in a hermetic environment. Employing micropropagation under natural ventilation conditions can be an alternative to improving morphophysiological issues arising from the conventional in vitro culture system. MSGE, by allowing gas exchange, enhances photochemical efficiency and photosynthetic carbon assimilation, resulting in plants with more efficient metabolism and robustness (Fuentes et al., 2007FUENTES, G., TALAVERA, C., DESJARDINS, Y. and SANTAMARÍA, J.M., 2007. Low exogenous sucrose improves ex vitro growth and photosynthesis in coconut in vitro plantlets if grown in vitro under high light. Acta Horticulturae, no. 748, pp. 151-155. http://dx.doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.748.18.
http://dx.doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.20...
; Kozai, 2010KOZAI, T., 2010. Photoautotrophic micropropagation-environmental control for promoting photosynthesis. Propagation of Ornamental Plants, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 188-204.; Xiao et al., 2011XIAO, Y., NIU, G. and KOZAI, T., 2011. Development and application of photoautotrophic micropropagation plant system. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 105, no. 2, pp. 149-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-010-9863-9.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-010-986...
; Fritsche et al., 2022FRITSCHE, Y., DEOLA, F., SILVA, D.A., HOLDERBAUM, D.F. and GUERRA, M.P., 2022. Cattleya tigrina (Orchidaceae) in vitro regeneration: main factors for optimal protocorm-like body induction and multiplication, plantlet regeneration, and cytogenetic stability. South African Journal of Botany, vol. 149, pp. 96-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2022.05.059.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2022.05...
).

Regarding sucrose, the optimal results for in vitro cultivation of B. tuberculata were achieved with concentrations around 15 and 30 g L-1. Studies on different sucrose concentrations in the in vitro culture of native orchids, such as Alatiglossum fuscopetalum (Ferreira et al., 2017FERREIRA, W.M., VASCONCELOS, M.C., SILVA, C.C.N., OLIVEIRA, H.R. and SUZUKI, R.M., 2017. Asymbiotic germination, multiplication and development of Alatiglossum fuscopetalum (Orchidaceae) as affected by culture medium, sucrose and growth regulators. Iheringia. Série Botânica, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 57-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.21826/2446-8231201772106.
http://dx.doi.org/10.21826/2446-82312017...
), Oncidium flexuosum (Caovila et al., 2016CAOVILA, L.E., GIANINI, P.F. and PEDROSO-DE-MORAES, C., 2016. Concentração de sacarose e índices de Ph no crescimento in vitro de Oncidium flexuosum SIMS. (Orchidaceae). Revista em Agronegócio e Meio Ambiente, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 531-545. http://dx.doi.org/10.17765/2176-9168.2016v9n3p531-545.
http://dx.doi.org/10.17765/2176-9168.201...
), Cyrtopodium cachimboense (Paulino et al., 2021PAULINO, M.A.P., MARTINS, V., SILVA, A.P.R., KARSBURG, I.V., SILVA, J.C., CORBELLINI, M. and RONDON, M.J.P., 2021. Desenvolvimento in vitro de Cyrtopodium Cachimboense l. C. Menezes em diferentes níveis de sacarose. Brazilian Journal of Development, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 18844-18860. http://dx.doi.org/10.34117/bjdv7n2-500.
http://dx.doi.org/10.34117/bjdv7n2-500...
), Miltonia flavescens (Lemes et al., 2014LEMES, C.S.R., SORGATO, J.C., SOARES, J.S. and ROSA, Y.B.C.J., 2014. Culture media and sucrose on initial in vitro growth of Miltonia flavescens. Ciência Rural, vol. 46, no. 3, pp. 499. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20150368.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr201...
), and Cattleya schilleriana (Galdiano-Júnior et al., 2018GALDIANO-JÚNIOR, R.F., MANTOVANI, C. and LEMOS, E.G.M., 2018. Carbohydrates on the growth of Cattleya schilleriana Reichb.f. seedlings (Orchidaceae). Ciência Rural, vol. 48, no. 7, pp. e20160977. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20160977.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr201...
), support our results. However, in contrast to our findings, Silva et al. (2014)SILVA, A.B., LIMA, P.P., OLIVEIRA, L.E.S. and MOREIRA, A.L., 2014. Crescimento in vitro e anatomia foliar de Cattleya walkeriana (Gardner, 1839) cultivada em sistema de ventilação natural. Revista Ceres, vol. 61, no. 6, pp. 883-890. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-737X201461060001.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-737X20146...
observed that Cattleya walkeriana Gardner plants exhibited increased root system growth when cultured with the highest tested sucrose concentration (45 g L-1) in flasks with ventilation caps. These observations suggest that the influence of sucrose may vary according to the orchid species studied, and the species examined here exhibits similar behavior to most reported in the scientific literature.

Regarding pH, the culture media were initially adjusted to 5.8 before the experimental period. However, a decrease in pH was observed for all treatments after 90 days of in vitro cultivation. The recommended pH range for adequate growth of most orchid species is between 5.0 and 6.5 (Faria et al., 2004FARIA, R.T., RODRIGUES, F.N., OLIVEIRA, L.V.R. and MÜLLER, C., 2004. In vitro Dendrobium nobile plant growth and rooting in different sucrose concentrations. Horticultura Brasileira, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 780-783. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-05362004000400023.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-05362004...
). Additionally, plant tissue culture media often have low buffering capacity (Leifert et al., 1995LEIFERT, C., MURPHY, K.P. and LUMSDEN, P.J., 1995. Mineral and carbohydrate nutrition of plant cell and tissue cultures. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 83-109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07352689509701923.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07352689509701...
). Therefore, some species can adjust the medium pH to values between 3.7 and 6.2 during the plant growth period, irrespective of the initial pH (Leifert et al., 1992LEIFERT, C., PRYCE, S., LUMSDEN, P.J. and WAITES, W.M., 1992. Effect of medium acidity on growth and rooting of different plants growing in vitro. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 171-179. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00040019.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00040019...
).

In general, the pH decrease was more pronounced in MSGE. This decline may be attributed to water loss through gas exchange, occurring due to the different pressure and temperature gradients inside and outside the flask, concentration gradients of gases (CO2 and H2O, among others), and the speed and pattern of air movement around the flask (Xiao et al., 2011XIAO, Y., NIU, G. and KOZAI, T., 2011. Development and application of photoautotrophic micropropagation plant system. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, vol. 105, no. 2, pp. 149-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-010-9863-9.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11240-010-986...
). Additionally, gas exchange and increased CO2 levels may promote H2CO3 formation in the culture medium, leading to a decreased pH in this micropropagation system. However, Caovila et al. (2016)CAOVILA, L.E., GIANINI, P.F. and PEDROSO-DE-MORAES, C., 2016. Concentração de sacarose e índices de Ph no crescimento in vitro de Oncidium flexuosum SIMS. (Orchidaceae). Revista em Agronegócio e Meio Ambiente, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 531-545. http://dx.doi.org/10.17765/2176-9168.2016v9n3p531-545.
http://dx.doi.org/10.17765/2176-9168.201...
concluded in their research on sucrose concentrations and pH in the in vitro growth of Oncidium flexuosum that regardless of the pH value, the factor that most significantly influences the variables is the concentration of sucrose used.

This study demonstrates that photomixotrophic culture, with supplementation of up to 30 g L-1 of sucrose in the culture medium, provides favorable conditions for desirable characteristics in B. tuberculata plants during ex vitro cultivation, such as increased height and root system development.

4.2. Ex vitro growth

The results for %SUR and NL suggest that the use of photoautotrophic micropropagation systems, i.e., without adding carbohydrates to the culture medium and allowing gas exchange, promotes photosynthesis. However, most orchids are cultivated using a conventional micropropagation system (heterotrophic) characterized by the absence of gas exchange and high humidity, leading to physiological and morphological disorders in plants, particularly stomatal malfunction, increased water loss through leaf tissue, and potential decrease in survival of orchid seedlings during the ex vitro acclimatization process (Majada et al., 2002MAJADA, J.P., FAL, M.A., TADEO, F. and SÁNCHEZ-TAMÉS, R., 2002. Effects of natural ventilation on leaf ultrastructure of Dianthus caryophyllus L. cultured in vitro. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology. Plant, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 272-278. http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/IVP2001271.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/IVP2001271...
; Cha-Um et al., 2010CHA-UM, S., ULZIILBAT, B. and KIRDMANEE, C., 2010. Effects of temperature and relative humidity during in vitro acclimatization, on physiological changes and growth characters of Phalaenopsis adapted to in vivo. Australian Journal of Crop Science, vol. 4, pp. 750-756.; Silva et al., 2016SILVA, A.B., REIS, C.O., CAZETTA, J.O., CARLIN, S.D., LANDGRAF, P.R.C. and REIS, M.C., 2016. Effects of exogenous proline and a natural ventilation system on the in vitro growth of orchids. Bioscience Journal, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 619-626. http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v32n3a2016-31368.
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v32n3a2016...
; Teixeira da Silva et al., 2017TEIXEIRA DA SILVA, J.A., HOSSAIN, M.M., SHARMA, M., DOBRÁNSZKI, J., CARDOSO, J.C. and ZENG, S., 2017. Acclimatization of in vitro-derived Dendrobium. Horticultural Plant Journal, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 110-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07.009.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07....
).

In the photomixotrophic system (with carbohydrate addition and gas exchange), the characteristics of NR, RL, and FM can be attributed to the increased aeration facilitated by MSGE. Furthermore, this system promotes photosynthesis by allowing gas exchange within the flask, leading to normalized transpiration and regulation of stomatal function. Under these conditions, explants can utilize endogenous and exogenous carbohydrates as an energy source (Kozai, 2010KOZAI, T., 2010. Photoautotrophic micropropagation-environmental control for promoting photosynthesis. Propagation of Ornamental Plants, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 188-204.; Santos et al., 2020SANTOS, G.C., CARDOSO, F.P., MARTINS, A.D., PASQUAL, M., OSSANI, P.C., QUEIROZ, J.M., REZENDE, R.A.L.S. and DÓRIA, J., 2020. Effect of light and sucrose on photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic micropropagation of Physalis angulate. Bioscience Journal, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 1353-1367. http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n4a2020-47738.
http://dx.doi.org/10.14393/BJ-v36n4a2020...
).

These results are consistent with Silva et al. (2014)SILVA, A.B., LIMA, P.P., OLIVEIRA, L.E.S. and MOREIRA, A.L., 2014. Crescimento in vitro e anatomia foliar de Cattleya walkeriana (Gardner, 1839) cultivada em sistema de ventilação natural. Revista Ceres, vol. 61, no. 6, pp. 883-890. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-737X201461060001.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-737X20146...
, who observed that Cattleya walkeriana Gardner plants grown in flasks with ventilation caps exhibited superior growth characteristics compared to those grown in a hermetic environment. Regarding sucrose concentrations, Galdiano-Júnior et al. (2013)GALDIANO-JÚNIOR, R.F., MANTOVANI, C., FARIA, R.T. and LEMOS, E.G.M., 2013. Concentrações de sacarose no desenvolvimento in vitro e na aclimatização de Cattleya loddigesii Lindley. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 583-592. http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2013v34n2p583.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2013...
, in their study on the effect of sucrose on the number of roots in Cattleya loddigesii Lindley, observed the highest values with a concentration of 20.7 g L-1, similar to the findings in our study (14.53 g L-1). Additionally, the data obtained for LR align with those of Faria et al. (2004)FARIA, R.T., RODRIGUES, F.N., OLIVEIRA, L.V.R. and MÜLLER, C., 2004. In vitro Dendrobium nobile plant growth and rooting in different sucrose concentrations. Horticultura Brasileira, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 780-783. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-05362004000400023.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-05362004...
, who studied Dendrobium nobile Lindl. plants and observed the longest root length with a concentration of 60 g L-1 sucrose.

Regarding the isolated effect of sucrose on PLH, our results are similar to those reported by Besson et al. (2010)BESSON, J.C.F., OLIVEIRA, L.K., BONETT, L.P. and STEFANELLO, S., 2010. Fontes e concentrações de carboidratos no crescimento vegetativo e no enraizamento in vitro de Miltonia flavescens Lindl. Revista Brasileira de Biociências, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 9-13., who observed a significant difference in shoot length of Miltonia flaviscens Lindl. with medium supplementation of 30 and 45 g L-1 of sucrose. However, Galdiano-Júnior et al. (2013)GALDIANO-JÚNIOR, R.F., MANTOVANI, C., FARIA, R.T. and LEMOS, E.G.M., 2013. Concentrações de sacarose no desenvolvimento in vitro e na aclimatização de Cattleya loddigesii Lindley. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 583-592. http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2013v34n2p583.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2013...
observed higher shoot length values for Cattleya loddigesii Lindl. with lower sucrose concentrations (21.5 g L-1). These observations indicate that the concentration of sucrose used in the culture media can influence different plant materials in distinct ways.

The higher PLH observed when using CMS alone may be attributed to the transfer to the ex vitro environment. These plants need to complete their autotrophism by increasing their metabolic rates (Teixeira da Silva et al., 2017TEIXEIRA DA SILVA, J.A., HOSSAIN, M.M., SHARMA, M., DOBRÁNSZKI, J., CARDOSO, J.C. and ZENG, S., 2017. Acclimatization of in vitro-derived Dendrobium. Horticultural Plant Journal, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 110-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07.009.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hpj.2017.07....
), thus utilizing their photoassimilates for height growth. Therefore, plants grown in vitro using a conventional system exhibit an increased growth rate during the ex vitro phase. Meanwhile, plants from MSGE, which had already initiated rusting during in vitro cultivation, only maintained this growth rate (Ribeiro et al., 2019RIBEIRO, L.M., SORGATO, J.C., SCALON, S.P.Q., SOARES, J.S. and RIBEIRO, I.S., 2019. Influência da luz, ventilação natural e tamanho do frasco no crescimento e desenvolvimento de denphal (Orchidaceae). Agrária, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. e5957. http://dx.doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v14i3a5957.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5039/agraria.v14i3a...
).

In orchid species propagation protocols, it is crucial to consider not only the number of micropropagated plants but also the morphophysiological quality of the resulting plants. Thus, the findings of this study, combined with those previously reported in the scientific literature for the Orchidaceae family, support the inference that photoautotrophic and photomixotrophic micropropagation systems promote the ex vitro establishment of plants when cultivated in vitro, making them recommended for the in vitro cultivation of B. tuberculata.

5. Conclusion

The use of a micropropagation system that allows gas exchange, along with sucrose concentrations of up to 30 g L-1, enhances the shoot and root growth of B. tuberculata plants propagated in vitro. For ex vitro establishment, the micropropagation system that allows gas exchange is recommended regardless of the sucrose concentration used.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the research incentive received from the Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD) and the financial support from the Foundation to Support the Development of Teaching, Science, and Technology of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).

References

  • BESSON, J.C.F., OLIVEIRA, L.K., BONETT, L.P. and STEFANELLO, S., 2010. Fontes e concentrações de carboidratos no crescimento vegetativo e no enraizamento in vitro de Miltonia flavescens Lindl. Revista Brasileira de Biociências, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 9-13.
  • CAOVILA, L.E., GIANINI, P.F. and PEDROSO-DE-MORAES, C., 2016. Concentração de sacarose e índices de Ph no crescimento in vitro de Oncidium flexuosum SIMS. (Orchidaceae). Revista em Agronegócio e Meio Ambiente, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 531-545. http://dx.doi.org/10.17765/2176-9168.2016v9n3p531-545
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    17 July 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    05 Jan 2023
  • Accepted
    31 May 2023
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