Anatomical and biochemical changes of shoots of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex Wendl under different in vitro shoot culture systems

In vitro propagation by organogenesis of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex Wendl (B. vulgaris) is hampered by the low survival rate of the plants under ex vitro conditions, which limits their propagation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical and biochemical changes of shoots of B. vulgaris under different in vitro culture systems. For this proposal, we used shoots cultured in liquid static culture medium (LSCM) and temporary immersion systems (TIS). Our results showed that culturing the shoots in TIS improved the anatomical and biochemical development of the shoots. However, total chlorophyll content decreased in shoots cultured in LSCM. Moreover, hydrogen peroxide content and malondialdehyde, as well as the activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase were increased in these shoots. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy showed that the leaves of the shoots cultured in liquid static nutrient medium exhibited anatomical changes at the stomata of the plants, while the leaves of the shoots cultured in TIS showed normal structural development. Finally, the shoots cultivated in TIS showed high survival rate and allowed better adaptation of the shoots in the greenhouse.