Growth Regulation and Validation of Homogeneity in In Vitro-Derived Bleeding Heart by Molecular Markers and Spectral Analysis of Pigments

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the morphogenetic events in Lamprocapnos spectabilis (L.) Fukuhara (bleeding heart) ‘Gold Heart’ and ‘White Gold’ micropropagated in various culture media, and to evaluate the biochemical and genetic stability of the produced plants. None of the sixteen tested plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations improved the micropropagation efficiency or morphological traits of shoots in ‘Gold Heart’ compared to the PGRs-free control, indicating low intrinsic regenerability of this cultivar. As for bleeding heart ‘White Gold’, culture medium with 0.5 mg·L−1 IBA and 2.0 mg·L−1 BA was optimal in terms of multiplication ratio (9.8) and shoot parameters. Addition of PGRs was necessary for effective rooting in both cultivars studied. Some experimental combinations declined the concentration of chlorophylls and carotenoids in the shoots of bleeding heart, especially if a significant amount of callus was formed at the shoot base. The PGR-supplemented media stimulated the abundant secretion of phenols by shoots. The survival rate and quality of the plantlets after acclimatization varied from 0.0 to 100%, depending on the composition of the multiplication medium. Plants with a higher number of leaves were more likely to survive acclimatization. Somaclonal variation was detected in 36.8 to even 69.1% of in vitro-derived plants by two genetic marker systems. Most of that variation was irrelevant, however, some genotypes were significantly different from the predominant control.