Effect of LEDs on shoot multiplication and rooting of rare plant Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai

Abstract

This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of light sources and explant types on in vitro shoot multiplication and rooting of a rare and endangered plant Abeliophyllum distichum. Both apical buds and axillary buds were used as explants under 4 different light sources, cool white florescent light (F), 100% blue light-emitting diode (LED) (B), 50% blue and 50% red LED mixture (BR), and 100% red LED (R). Clear difference was observed in terms of shoot proliferation by light sources types but not by position-dependent explant types. Multiple shoot induction rates were enhanced under both B and BR light sources. Spontaneous rooting was induced in shoot induction medium under B light source. Both the rates of rooting and numbers of roots per explant were higher in apical bud explants compared to axillary bud explants. Interestingly R light source stimulated shoot elongation but inhibited root development. Therefore, our results suggest that the use of apical bud explants under B or BR light sources is suitable for in vitro micropropagation of a rare and endangered plant species, Abeliophyllum distichum.