The Effect of Sucrose Supplementation on the Micropropagation of Salix viminalis L. Shoots in Semisolid Medium and Temporary Immersion Bioreactors

Abstract

The effect of sucrose concentration on the micropropagation of axillary shoots of willow was investigated. The following factors were examined: the culture system (semisolid medium in glass jars versus liquid medium in temporary immersion bioreactors), the type of explant (apical and basal sections), the frequency of immersion, and CO₂ enrichment. Shoots and leaf growth were significantly higher in RITA^® bioreactors than in the jars for all the sucrose treatments. Apical or basal sections of willow cultured in bioreactors under high light intensity (150 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and ventilated six times a day with CO₂-enriched air were successfully proliferated without sucrose, whereas shoots cultured in jars did not proliferate well if sucrose concentration was 0.5% or lower. More roots were formed when sucrose was added to the medium. Shoots cultured in bioreactors were successfully acclimatized irrespective of the sucrose treatment and the root biomass when transferred to ex vitro conditions. This is the first report of photoautotrophic willow micropropagation, our results confirm the importance of proper gaseous exchange to attain autotrophy during in vitro propagation.