Abstract
We documented a successful embryo rescue (ER) protocol for butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), a member of the milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae). Milkweed (Asclepias sp.) includes more than 100 species native to the United States, is an important pollinator plant, and has many commercially desirable traits. However, there is little commercial production outside of native plant nurseries because milkweed species are typically seed-grown and suffer from low seed set during pollination, late-term abortion of seed pods, and nonuniform germination. This project determined the optimal growing media (study one) and embryo maturity (study two) to recover mature seedlings from excised embryos and compared the results to those of traditional methods of seed germination (in soilless substrate). Study one investigated three different media: Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium at full strength and half strength and woody plant medium. MS medium at half strength was optimal for butterfly weed germination and maturation, with greater root and shoot lengths at the time of harvest. In study two, the effects of MS medium at half strength on embryo maturation 90, 60, and 30 days after pollination (DAP) were investigated. The optimal time to harvest embryos was 60 DAP; embryos at 30 DAP were capable of germination but not maturation. A mean germination rate of 97.4% was observed when using embryo rescue, but it was 72.3% with mature seed germinated in soilless substrate typical of commercial production. A similar increase in germination rates was observed for all embryo maturities when compared with seed germinated using soilless substrate. The protocol developed for this study should help to standardize production, reduce propagation time, and improve the commercial acceptance and profitability of milkweed.
Embryo rescue (ER), or the excision and culturing of immature zygotic embryos from developing seeds, is conducted under aseptic conditions to obtain viable and pathogen-free plantlets (Bhojwani and Razdan, 1986; Morel, 1960). The technique was first documented by Charles Bonnet in the late 18th century, and it has been commercially practiced for more than half a century (Bridgen, 1994). Further research by Hannig (1904) refined the technique and laid the groundwork that would allow future scientists to bypass physical and/or late-onset chemical seed dormancy, shorten breeding cycles, examine seed/embryo viability, and develop hybrids from previously incompatible crosses (Bridgen, 1994). In plant breeding programs, ER is particularly critical because it can circumvent seed abortion of wide crosses, resulting in the retention of novel genotypes (Conger, 1981; Dunwell, 1986). Embryo rescue has also been widely used to efficiently propagate threatened and/or endangered species because it has been noted to improve germination rates (Lakshmi et al., 2010; Stephenson and Fahey, 2004).
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is one of 106 species that are indigenous to North America (Stevens, 1945; Woodson, 1954). Although milkweed (Asclepias) species have many ornamental and ecologically important traits, there is little commercial production outside of niche native plant growers. Limited commercial production is thought to result from limited seed set because milkweed species frequently display late-term seed and pod abortion, possibly due to complex reproductive structures (Broyles, 2002; Kephart, 1981; Shannon and Wyatt, 1986). The predominant theory regarding the failure of intraspecific and interspecific seed development in milkweed species is that late-term embryo abortion is attributed to postfertilization rejection, whereby fertilization of the endosperm is successful but the egg (precursor to the zygote) remains unfertilized. Gametophytic and sporophytic self-incompatibility systems typically experience abortion between a few hours to a few days after pollination; however, in milkweed species, late-term abortion can occur several weeks to 2 months after fertilization (Lipow and Wyatt, 2000; Seavey and Bawa, 1986; Sparrow and Pearson, 1948; Whiting, 1943). Embryo abortion is difficult to overcome; however, by prematurely harvesting seeds, removing the embryo, and aseptically culturing the embryo on nutrient medium, pod abortion and developmental failure could be circumvented.
There are no published ER protocols available for milkweed species. Several studies document embryogenesis protocols for milkweed species from cell cultures, leaf tissue, or nodal explants (Groet and Kidd, 1981; Kim et al., 2004; Pramanik and Datta, 1986; Sahai et al., 2010). Embryogenesis, compared with ER, takes longer because embryonic tissue must first be dedifferentiated, multiplied via callus formation, and then redifferentiated with the aid of plant growth regulators (PGRs) (Kim et al., 2004). Although large nutritional differences in ER protocols compared to those of embryogenesis protocols exist, a study of embryogenesis of indian ipecac (Tylophora indicia) found that this species, also in the milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae), preferred a relatively lower nutrient content compared with other taxa (Sahai et al., 2010). A half-strength MS medium increased explant regeneration of indian ipecac by more than 20% when applied at embryo maturation compared with other commonly used media (Sahai et al., 2010).
ER may be a commercially viable mechanism to overcome seed pod abortion if the embryo is excised from the seed at a point when it has reached the autotrophic (self-sufficient) stage but before seed pod abortion. However, an ER protocol for butterfly weed has not been documented; therefore, medium type, days of stratification, seed/explant cleaning methods, embryo culture environmental conditions, and the effect of embryo maturity on success are unknown. The primary objectives of this project were to 1) determine if it is possible to rescue embryos in the autotrophic stage through the development of an ER methodology; 2) assess the optimum embryo maturity to harvest seed and excise embryos for maximum growth of germinated embryos; and 3) determine if ER methods offer an improvement over seed germination rates using traditional seed germination in soilless substrates determine. Based on previous research of another milkweed species (indian ipecac), we hypothesized that media with less nutrition would be superior for successful germination of autotrophic embryos. We also predicted that germination rates of rescued embryos would exceed those observed with traditional commercial settings, and that embryos harvested in the heterotrophic phase of development would fail to produce viable plantlets.
Materials and methods
Parent and seed production.
Stock plants of butterfly weed were produced from three wild-collected seed pods from a single plant (Oglethorpe County, GA) in Aug. 2017, dry-stored until Jan. 2018, and cool moist–stratified at 2 °C for 6 weeks. Seeds were germinated in Mar. 2018 at the College Station Greenhouse Complex (lat. 33.9480°N, long. 83.3773°W; U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 8a) at the University of Georgia Athens campus, in 804 inserts (T.O. Plastics, Minneapolis, MN) containing 100% perlite (Carolina Perlite Co., Gold Hill, NC). Supplemental light was provided by light-emitting diode (LED) arrays (Fluence Spyder with PhysioSpec; Fluence Technologies, Austin, TX); photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 250 μmol·m−2·s−1 and 14-h daylength were maintained until ambient daylength reached 14 h (18 May in Athens, GA). Seedlings were transplanted to trade 1-gal containers (Classic 400; Nursery Supply, Agwam, MA) with 75% pine bark mulch, 20% compost, and 5% perlite medium mix (Foothills Compost, Grayson, GA) and grown in a glasshouse with temperatures of 24 °C (day) and 20 °C (night). Plants were topdressed with 21 g of 16N–3.5P–7.5K slow-release fertilizer (Pursell, Sylacauga, AL) and hand watered daily to container capacity with municipal water. When flowering occurred, controlled intraspecific pollinations of butterfly weed were performed in the same greenhouse environment to generate seed pods. Harvested pods were taken into the laboratory and seeds were separated from the pod to be surface-sterilized.
Experimental design of study one: Effects of medium type on ER success.
The first study was performed to determine the optimal culture medium type for the germination and regeneration of autotrophic embryos harvested at 90 d after pollination (DAP). The medium type served as the treatment effect and included MS Basal Salt Mixture (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO), MS Basal Salt Mixture at half strength (½ MS), and Woody Plant Medium [WPM (Sigma-Aldrich)]. Protocols for preparation were followed as published in the PhytoTechnology Laboratories (Lenexa, KS) technical information guide (2008), with pH adjusted to 5.7–5.9. After preparation, media were poured into either 100- × 15-mm petri dishes (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) or 14-fl oz sterilized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cups (12FCB clear cup with DLKC16/24NH clear dome lid; Southeastern Paper Group, Atlanta, GA). After being plated and cooled, plates were stored in a dark location held at 25 ± 2 °C day/night temperatures until use. A single seed pod containing 117 seeds was harvested at 90 DAP. Seeds were randomly divided into three equal groups of 39 to be placed on the three medium types. Seeds designated for each medium treatment were then randomly subdivided into three replications, with 13 seeds in each replication. After randomly dividing seeds from each treatment into replications, seeds were taken to the laboratory, surface-sterilized, excised, and plated on petri dishes filled with MS, ½ MS, or WPM media.
Experimental design of study two: Effects of embryo maturity on ER success.
The second study used a medium type from the first study (½ MS) to examine its ability to successfully germinate embryos at various DAP; embryo maturity was the treatment effect. In this study, two additional embryo maturity dates, 60 DAP and 30 DAP, were examined, and data from 90 DAP embryos in study one were used to discern differences among embryo maturity. A single seed pod containing between 72 and 117 seeds was harvested at each point of embryo maturity. The pod harvested at 90 DAP contained 117 seeds, of which 39 randomly selected seeds were subdivided into three replications with 13 seeds in each replication and used for statistical analysis in this study. The seed pod harvested at 60 DAP contained 72 seeds that were divided into four replications of 18 individually plated embryos. The pod harvested at 30 DAP contained 100 seeds. To maintain some homogeneity of replication numbers, only 72 randomly selected seeds were chosen from this seed pod and divided into four replications of 18. After randomly dividing seeds from each treatment into replications, seeds were taken to the laboratory, surface-sterilized, excised, and plated on petri dishes filled with ½ MS.
Preparation of the germination control.
To compare ER germination rates in both studies to industry standard germination rates, a single pod was harvested at maturity (natural splitting of the pod). The mature seeds were immediately cold moist–stratified in damp sand (All-purpose Builder’s Sand; Lowe’s, Charlotte, NC) at 2 °C for 30 d. A randomized complete block of 39 seeds randomly selected from the pod (split into three replications of 13) were germinated in 804 inserts (T.O. Plastics) with 100% perlite (Carolina Perlite Co.) inside a greenhouse at the College Station Greenhouse Complex at the University of Georgia Athens campus. Supplemental light was provided by LED arrays delivering a PPFD of 250 μmol·m−2·s−1 and a 14-h daylength that was maintained until ambient daylength reached 14 h (18 May in Athens, GA). Seed trays were misted with municipal water for 10 s every 10 m with temperatures at 24 °C (day) and 20 °C (night). The germination percent was recorded 30 d after sowing.
Seed surface sterilization.
Surface sterilization occurred in a laboratory environment. Seeds were initially rinsed under tap water for 5 min before being placed in a sterile 500-mL bottle filled with room temperature sterile water and 1 mL of detergent (Dawn; Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH). The solution of soap and water was gently shaken for 4 min and then poured out; seeds were caught in a sterilized strainer. Seeds were rinsed with reverse osmosis water for 2 to 3 min to ensure the removal of residual soap. The next steps occurred under a laminar flow hood and all equipment was sterilized. Seeds were placed in a 100-mL beaker filled with a 75% ethanol solution and agitated for 30 s. Seeds were then transferred to another 100-mL beaker filled with a 10% disinfectant (Roccal; Pfizer, New York, NY) solution and stirred for 1 min. Seeds were transferred to a 500-mL beaker filled with a 1.5% bleach solution (Clorox Co., Oakland, CA) and agitated for 3 min. Immediately after the bleach wash, seeds were transferred to another 500-mL beaker filled with double deionized (DI) water. Seeds were agitated for 3 min, and the DI washing process was repeated three times in different 500-mL beakers. At that point the seeds were considered disinfected and could be stored in petri dishes sealed with laboratory film (parafilm; Sigma-Aldrich) until excision.
Embryo rescue.
After surface sterilization, embryos were excised under a laminar flow hood using a sterile scalpel on sterile filter paper; a dissecting microscope was used to improve the visibility of the embryos. Embryos of butterfly weed are small (length, 0.6 cm); therefore, an initial lateral cut was made around the outside edge of seeds to avoid cutting into the embryo. After the initial cut, the thin testa (seedcoat) was peeled away from the embryo using forceps. Using either the scalpel or forceps, embryos were gently removed and placed on the predetermined medium type in 100- × 15-mm petri dishes (Thermo Fisher Scientific). It should be noted that even though the dividing hilum scar appears to be an easier place to make the incision, a vertical excising cut down the middle of the seed will often puncture the embryo. Immediately after plating embryos on medium treatments in 100- × 15-mm petri dishes (Thermo Fisher Scientific), dishes were placed in a dark room for 3 d at 22 ± 2 °C day/night temperatures to break chemical dormancy. Embryos were transferred to a climate-controlled environment held at 22 ± 2 °C day/night temperatures and a 16-/8-h light/ dark photoperiod with a PPFD of 50 μmol·m−2·s−1 provided by cool white fluorescent tubes. When an embryo had an actively growing radicle, embryos were re-plated in 14-fl oz sterilized PET cups (12FCB clear cup with DLKC16/24NH clear dome lid) and grown for 100 d in the first study and 70 d in the second study. It should be noted that embryos were initially germinated in petri dishes due to laboratory space limitations, but they could also be germinated directly in clear PET cups to minimize labor.
Data collection and statistical analysis.
Data collection for both studies included average longest root length (centimeters), average shoot length (centimeters), germination percentage, and number of explants successfully generated (defined as reaching a height of 3 inches). To prevent contamination, embryos were not removed from their sterile containers to take measurements, with the exception of the final measurement date. Media on which embryos were placed was clear, and measurements were as accurate as possible. On petri dishes, root lengths were measured with a ruler from below; in sterile cups, root lengths were measured from the side to below, depending on root development. Shoot lengths were measured from the top of petri dishes or the side of sterile cups. Measurements were collected this way to reduce distortion of root and shoot lengths and obtain the most accurate data possible without exposing developing embryos to unnecessary contamination. The root length was measured from the root tip to where it joined either the callus or meristem tissue. Data collection began 10 d after plating embryos and continued at 10-d intervals for 50 d in both studies. Shoot length was measured from the base of the callus or meristem tissue to the uppermost meristematic tissue. Shoot length data collection in the first study began at 60 d and continued at 10-d intervals for 100 d. Shoot length data collection in the second study began at 30 d and continued at 10-d intervals for 70 d. Germination was defined as the number of seeds that successfully began radicle elongation and was reported as percentage data. The successful explant number was measured as plants alive in vitro at 100 d in the first study and at 70 d in the second study. A statistical analysis for both studies was performed using JMP (version 13.0; SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Data were analyzed to determine normality and homogeneity, with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and separation of treatment means using Tukey’s honestly significant difference test used in both studies to analyze root length, shoot length, and successful explant number variances. Germination percentage data were log-transformed before the one-way ANOVA to determine significance; then, they were back-transformed for reporting. Only data showing significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) among treatments are reported.
Results and discussion
Study one: Effects of medium type on ER success.
Average root length (± se) on ½ MS medium (3.50 ± 0.51 cm) was greater when compared with MS medium (1.43 ± 0.33 cm) (Fig. 1). WPM was similar to MS and ½ MS media, with an average root length of 1.98 ± 0.36 cm (Fig. 1). Differences between root lengths became significant as early as 20 d after excision and maintained the separation through day 50 (Fig. 1). At 100 d, MS and ½ MS had similar shoot growth, and both had greater shoot lengths (9.28 ± 1.91 cm and 14.76 ± 1.74 cm, respectively) compared with WPM medium (2.75 ± 1.05 cm) (Fig. 2). When assessing combined root and shoot growth results, ½ MS medium had both the greatest root growth (3.50 ± 0.51 cm) and shoot growth (14.76 ± 1.74 cm). Root lengths of indian ipecac reached 14.46 cm when plated on ½ MS medium at a similar maturity (Sahai et al., 2010). Pendulous wax flower (Hoya wightii) achieved similar shoot growth (9.1 cm) in MS medium at similar maturity (Lakshmi et al., 2010). Our results indicated that MS medium is ideal for the promotion of root and shoot growth, with ½ MS being superior for butterfly weed.
Effect of half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (½ MS), full-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), and woody plant medium (WPM) on root length over time when culturing butterfly weed embryos harvested 90 d after pollination (DAP). Bars represent means with se at P < 0.05. Letters indicate significance at day 50 based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (½ MS), full-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), and woody plant medium (WPM) on root length over time when culturing butterfly weed embryos harvested 90 d after pollination (DAP). Bars represent means with se at P < 0.05. Letters indicate significance at day 50 based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (½ MS), full-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), and woody plant medium (WPM) on root length over time when culturing butterfly weed embryos harvested 90 d after pollination (DAP). Bars represent means with se at P < 0.05. Letters indicate significance at day 50 based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (½ MS), full-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), and woody plant medium (WPM) on shoot length over time when culturing butterfly weed embryos harvested 90 d after pollination (DAP). Bars represent means with se at P < 0.05. Letters indicate significance at day 100 based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (½ MS), full-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), and woody plant medium (WPM) on shoot length over time when culturing butterfly weed embryos harvested 90 d after pollination (DAP). Bars represent means with se at P < 0.05. Letters indicate significance at day 100 based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (½ MS), full-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), and woody plant medium (WPM) on shoot length over time when culturing butterfly weed embryos harvested 90 d after pollination (DAP). Bars represent means with se at P < 0.05. Letters indicate significance at day 100 based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Although comparisons of growth parameters among medium types are useful, to be a commercially viable ER technique, ER must be more effective when compared with the industry standard of germination in soilless substrate under greenhouse conditions. This study determined that by comparing germination percentages on MS, ½ MS, and WPM to that of control (seeds germinated in perlite), ½ MS (97.43% ± 2.00%) and MS (94.88% ± 4.29%) had higher germination rates compared with WPM (82.05% ± 3.1%) or perlite (79.5% ± 3.09%) (Table 1). Commercially, high germination rates are important, but the survivability of plantlets is equally critical. When comparing the percentage of plants that survived 100 d (harvest date), ½ MS was superior (89.75% ± 5.50%) to MS (51.00% ± 9.74%) and WPM (56.41% ± 4.26%) (Table 1). Similar results have been documented for mountain laurel [Kalmia latifolia (Li and Zhang, 2018)], rhododentrons [Rhododendron sp. (Eeckhaut et al., 2007)], roses [Rosa (Marchant et al., 1993)], and japanese holly [Ilex crenata (Yang et al., 2015)]; ER significantly increased germination rates compared with seed germination in soilless substrates. When assessing results such as germination rate, root growth, and shoot growth, ½ MS was the superior medium for germination and growth of 90 DAP butterfly weed embryos.
Effect of half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (½ MS), full-strength Murashige and Skoog medium (MS), woody plant medium (WPM), and germination of fully mature butterfly weed seed on perlite under greenhouse conditions (control) on germination rates and survival rates of plantlets.
Study two: Effects of embryo maturity on ER success.
The literature frequently describes ER as occurring a few days to a few weeks after pollination (George et al., 2008; Sharma et al., 1996). However, in study two, the objective was to determine the age when embryos were incapable of either germination or growth (heterotrophic developmental stage). The methodology used in this study was developed previously for ER of orchids (Orchidaceae). Orchids have complex reproductive systems similar to those of milkweeds and share extremely low seed germination rates (Tsuchiya, 1954; Wyatt and Broyles, 1994). Orchid pods require 112–224 d to mature, but prematurely harvesting pods at 100–150 d after fertilization for ER drastically improved germination success rates (Knudson, 1922). The average amount of time a butterfly weed pod takes to reach maturity after pollination is 118.0 ± 4.2 d (unpublished data). Therefore, after testing the efficacy of the ER protocol developed in study one, the determination was made to perform ER for seeds at 90, 60, and 30 DAP. The goal was to determine if 30-DAP and/or 60-DAP embryos could be germinated and grown out without the aid of PGRs (in the autotrophic growth phase). One significant change made to the data collection in the second study was that the shoot measurements began at day 30 (rather than day 60) to better capture shoot growth curves that are more in accordance with commercial needs. Typically, tissue-cultured plant material is removed from sterile conditions and grown to a maximum of 3 to 5 inches (7.6–12.7 cm) before being sold and/or transplanted (Mulhern, 2010). In study one, it was not anticipated that shoot growth would occur as quickly as it did. Root length measurements remained the same. Overlap in measurement dates from study one allowed embryo growth comparisons from embryos of different ages (90, 60, and 30 DAP), allowing a more complete picture of growth and development.
Across the three embryo maturities, the root length of embryos rescued 60 DAP was longer (6.20 ± 0.36 cm) than those of embryos harvested at 90 DAP (3.50 ± 0.51 cm) or 30 DAP (0.16 ± 0.02 cm) (Fig. 3). Embryos harvested at 90 DAP had longer root lengths (3.50 ± 0.51 cm) than those harvested at 30 DAP (0.16 ± 0.02 cm) (Fig. 3). Embryos harvested 60 DAP had greater shoot length (8.16 ± 0.44 cm) than those harvested at 90 DAP (5.38 ± 0.69 cm) or 30 DAP (0.33 ± 0.02 cm) (Fig. 4). Root length differences became significant as early as day 10 after excision and maintained the separation throughout the duration of the study (Fig. 3). As observed in study one, the germination rates for all ER DAP treatments on ½ MS medium were greater [100% ± 0.00% (30 DAP); 100% ± 0.00% (60 DAP); and 97.43% ± 4.47% (90 DAP)] than the germination rates of mature seeds on perlite [72.38% ± 6.91% (control)] (Table 2). Survival rates were similar across all treatments [100% ± 0.00% (30 DAP); 95.83% ± 1.73% (60 DAP); and 89.74% ± 5.50% (90 DAP)], but survivability does not equate to successful embryo development (Table 2, Fig. 4). For example, the 30 DAP treatment had the highest survival rate (100%) but the smallest root (0.16 ± 0.02 cm) and shoot length (0.33 ± 0.02 cm) (Figs. 3 and 4, Table 2), making it the least successful treatment. Overall, embryos harvested 60 DAP yielded the greatest root (6.20 ± 0.36 cm) and shoot growth (8.16 ± 0.44 cm) compared with other treatments, with comparable germination and embryo survival rates (Figs. 3 and 4, Table 2).
Effect of butterfly weed embryo maturity on root length using half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. Embryo maturities of 90, 60, and 30 d after pollination (DAP) are displayed. Days after excising refers to the number days accrued after the successful removal of the embryo from the seedcoat. Bars represent means with se at P < 0.05. Letters indicate significance at day 50 based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of butterfly weed embryo maturity on root length using half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. Embryo maturities of 90, 60, and 30 d after pollination (DAP) are displayed. Days after excising refers to the number days accrued after the successful removal of the embryo from the seedcoat. Bars represent means with se at P < 0.05. Letters indicate significance at day 50 based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of butterfly weed embryo maturity on root length using half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. Embryo maturities of 90, 60, and 30 d after pollination (DAP) are displayed. Days after excising refers to the number days accrued after the successful removal of the embryo from the seedcoat. Bars represent means with se at P < 0.05. Letters indicate significance at day 50 based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of butterfly weed embryo maturity on shoot length at 70 d after excising using half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. Embryo maturities of 90, 60, and 30 d after pollination (DAP) are displayed. Days after excising refers to how many days accrued after the successful removal of the embryo from the seed. Bars represent means with se, and letters above bars represent groupings based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of butterfly weed embryo maturity on shoot length at 70 d after excising using half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. Embryo maturities of 90, 60, and 30 d after pollination (DAP) are displayed. Days after excising refers to how many days accrued after the successful removal of the embryo from the seed. Bars represent means with se, and letters above bars represent groupings based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of butterfly weed embryo maturity on shoot length at 70 d after excising using half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. Embryo maturities of 90, 60, and 30 d after pollination (DAP) are displayed. Days after excising refers to how many days accrued after the successful removal of the embryo from the seed. Bars represent means with se, and letters above bars represent groupings based on Tukey’s highly significant difference test at P ≤ 0.05; 1 cm = 0.3937 inch.
Citation: HortTechnology hortte 30, 1; 10.21273/HORTTECH04440-19
Effect of butterfly weed embryo maturity [90, 60, and 30 d after pollination (DAP)] on germination and survival rates are reported in addition to germination rates of seed sown in perlite under greenhouse conditions (control).
These results indicated that butterfly weed embryos reach an autotrophic stage by 60 DAP, which is 58 d earlier than when pods are typically harvested (118.0 ± 4.2 d). From a commercial standpoint, this could significantly reduce the time needed to produce a salable liner. Using traditional seed-based propagation, a commercial grower would harvest seeds 118 DAP, stratify for 30 d, germinate under greenhouse conditions (requiring 30 d), and grow out for 30 d to reach a salable size, with a total of 208 d (29.7 weeks) invested in propagation. Conversely, seeds required for ER could be harvested 60 DAP and require an additional 60 d in culture to reach a salable size of 3 inches (Fig. 4), for a total of 120 d (17.1 weeks) invested in propagation. In this scenario, ER results in a reduction in butterfly weed propagation time of 88 d.
Conclusions
This study documented a successful protocol for ER in butterfly weed, including surface sterilization techniques, excision methods, stratification times, medium type/strength, and embryo harvesting time. Previous studies investigated either embryogenesis of species in the milkweed family (but not milkweed species) or organogenesis of milkweed from leaf or meristem tissue. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate ER of embryonic tissue from seeds, and it is the first to document the effect of embryo maturity on the successful development of explants in culture. Because methods for ER vary from species to species, this study aimed at providing a commercial ER protocol for butterfly weed, with the hope that this protocol may be applicable to other milkweed species. Results indicated that ½ MS medium yielded ER seedlings with greater root and shoot lengths with comparable survival rates compared with MS and WPM. This was likely due to the natural affinity of milkweed species for soils with low nutritional content, which most closely aligned with ½ MS medium (Stevens, 1945). These results indicated that ER could be a commercially viable alternative to germination of milkweed species in soilless substrates, reducing propagation time by 88 d (12.6 weeks) and, as a result, possibly increasing profitability. Another goal of this study was to determine at what point embryo maturity affected embryo germination and growth. Embryos rescued at 30 DAP resulted in the lowest root and shoot growth, whereas 60 DAP yielded the highest root and shoot growth. Although there was no difference in germination percentages among embryos of differing maturities or among differing medium types, ER germination rates were uniformly higher than germination rates of fully mature seed sowed in soilless substrate. These findings provide a starting point for improved commercial propagation of butterfly weed, as well as for potentially offering a viable propagation protocol for threatened and/or endangered milkweed species to enhance restoration efforts.
Units
Literature cited
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