Optimizing Storage and Regeneration of Clonal Propagules of <i>Salix tetrasperma</i> Through Double-Layered Encapsulation

Synthetic seed technology is an innovative in vitro technique that provides improved storage capabilities for vegetative propagules. Its success mostly depends on the encapsulation matrix’s composition and the encapsulation procedure. The present study focuses on optimizing an encapsulation protocol...

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Main Authors: Zubair Altaf Reshi, Waquar Ahmad, Fohad Mabood Husain, Mehrun Nisha Khanam, Saad Bin Javed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Horticulturae
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/486
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Summary:Synthetic seed technology is an innovative in vitro technique that provides improved storage capabilities for vegetative propagules. Its success mostly depends on the encapsulation matrix’s composition and the encapsulation procedure. The present study focuses on optimizing an encapsulation protocol for short-term storage and germplasm exchange using micro-cuttings of <i>Salix tetrasperma</i>. Among the different synthetic seed types evaluated, double-layered synthetic seeds (DLSs) exhibited the highest re-growth (93.6%) on MS medium supplemented with meta-Topolin (mT) (5.0 µM) and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.5 µM) after 8 weeks of culture. Viability assessment of non-embryogenic synthetic seeds during low-temperature storage (4 °C) demonstrated the enhanced resilience of double-layered synthetic seeds (DLSs) compared to their single-layered (SLS) counterparts. Following acclimatization in Soilrite<sup>®</sup>-filled cups, 82% of the plantlets were successfully established in a greenhouse after four weeks. The increased activity and concentration of antioxidants in DLS-derived plantlets suggest the potential role of the extra layer of alginate in mitigating the effects of low-temperature stress during storage. SCoT molecular analysis confirmed the genetic integrity of the synthetic seed-derived plants.
ISSN:2311-7524