In vitro propagation of Glandularia peruviana (L.) Small, an ornamental native plant from South America

The flower market is characterized by being both eager for novelties and highly competitive. The exploration of native species with ornamental potential represents a remarkable area of research, since it entails the introduction and development of novel promising ornamental crops. The genus Glandularia, widely distributed in Argentina, holds an enormous ornamental potential, due to the variety of colors of its inflorescences (red, violet, white, rose and lily), and extended flowering period. There is little information on tissue culture of Glandularia, thus highlighting the relevance of this research. In this work, the conditions for in vitro multiplication of G. peruviana were optimized. It was concluded that WPM supplemented with TDZ, in concentrations ranging from 1.1 to 9.0 μM, was the most adequate treatment, rendering a multiplication rate of approximately 10 de novo shoots per explant. This paper presents a protocol for the in vitro propagation of this species and introduces interesting prospects in the application of biotechnological tools to breed Glandularia.

Heat stress effects on crop performance and tools for tolerance breeding

Abiotic stress is one of the most common causes of crop deficit and loss and hence an important area of study. Moreover, concerns regarding global climate change over past decades mean the study of different abiotic stresses appears to be essential if its effects are to be mitigated. The current review covers the effects of heat stress on crop performance, the response crops make when subjected to this stress and the development of tools designed to breed for stress tolerant crops. Distinct levels of the problem are considered, from the morphological/anatomical, through the physiological and to the biochemical/molecular. The study of heat shock proteins (HSPs), quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identification and the relationship between metabolomics (OMICS) and heat stress are given special consideration.