Light Treatments to Improve Efficiency of in Vitro Propagation Systems

Abstract

Plant growth and development depend on light for photosynthesis and photomorphogenesis (22, 31, 45). Plant tissue cultures also require light, but to a lesser degree, to regulate mainly morphogenetic processes (34, 43, 50). The effect of light on photosynthesis of in vitro cultures is of less importance than that of in vivo plants (16). Light influences micropropagation success through its three parameters of duration (photoperiod or day length), illuminance (intensity or photon flux), and spectral quality (wavelength). This influence can be exerted directly on the in vitro cultures or indirectly as an after-effect to the subsequent culture.