Growth response of diploid and tetraploid taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) shoot culture to drought stress using polyethylene glycol

Abstract

Taro genetic improvement through polyploidy induction is expected to be tolerant to abiotic stress. Several studies have shown that polyploidy plants have a higher adaptability to dry environments. In vitro selection technique for evaluation of plant tolerance to drought stress can be done by applying polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a selection agent. The aim of the research was to investigate the growth response of diploid and tetraploid taro shoot culture to drought stress using PEG. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with two factors. The first factor was the concentration of PEG at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%. The second factor was Bentul taro clones which were 1 diploid clone and 2 tetraploid clones (clones 4.6.3 and 5.4.4). PEG was added to liquid MS medium containing 2 mg/l BAP. Observations of growth variables were carried out every week until the six weeks of culture. Fresh and dry weights, mortality percentage and proline content were determined at six weeks of culture. The results showed that the addition of PEG in liquid medium significantly affected the number of leaves, petiole length, number of roots, fresh and dry weights, as well as shoot mortality percentage. Differences in clones significantly affected the number of leaves, fresh and dry weights. The two factors tested (PEG and clones), gave an interaction on the number of leaves, fresh and dry weights. The proline content in all diploid and tetraploid clones showed an increase with increasing PEG concentration. The LC50 value in diploid clones was 9.82%, in tetraploid clones 4.6.3 and 5.4.4 were 14.14 and 15.45%, respectively. The results showed that PEG at 10% and 15% could be used for in vitro selection to drought stress both for diploid and tetraploid taro.