IJERD – International Journal of Environmental and Rural Development (2014) 5-2

Research article
erd

In vitro Cultures and Colchicine-Induced Tetraploidy ofSundew (Drosera spatulata Labill.)
PIYAVADEE CHAROENWATTANA*
Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Pathumthani, Thailand
Email: piyavadeec@yahoo.com
Received 20 January 2014

Accepted 21 July 2014(*Corresponding Author)

Abstract Sundew (Drosera spatulata Labill.) has become a favorite ornamental plant
because of their carnivorous nature, the beauty of their glistening traps and their value as
medicinal herb. It is also because of their low propagation rate in their natural environmentthat in vitro propagation of carnivorous plants is pursued. The objective of this research
was to cultivate sundew in vitro to increase its propagation rate. The tetraploid of D.
spatulata was induced by the colchicine treatment, providing valuable plant material forfurther breeding programs. Plantlets of D. spatulata were cultured on MS agar medium(pH 5.4-5.8), and growth and survival rates were observed. The results showed the highest
survival of 100 percent in an MS (pH 5.6) medium. Results observed after nine weeks
showed that a 1/3MS (pH 5.6) medium promotes the highest growth with an average plant
diameter of 25.95 mm. For tetraploids induction, plantlets were immersed in aqueous
solutions of colchicine (6 and 12 mg l-1) for the duration of one week. The effects ofdifferent concentrations on survival and growth were recorded. Putative polyploids wereidentified by stomata density and stomata size. The ploidy level was determined bychromosome counting. The survival rate of treated plantlets decreased in all treatments.
The most efficient colchicine concentrations were in the range from 6 to 12 mg l-1. The
chromosome number of the tetraploid plants was 2n = 4x = 40, while that of the control
diploid plants was 2n = 2x = 20. The diameter of the tetraploid plants increased, and thelength of the leaves and number of inflorescences were more than those of the diploid. The
tetraploid plants derived from exposure to colchicine exhibited variations, such as larger
stomata and lower density of stomata.
Keywords Drosera spatulata, colchicine, tetraploid, micropropagation, MS media

INTRODUCTION
The genus Drosera (Droseraceae), commonly called sundew, is the largest group of carnivorous
plants and consists of approximately170 species. Drosera spatulata Labill. is one of the mostwidespread sundews in nature. D. spatulata is a carnivorous species native to south-east Asia andAustralia (Junipers et al., 1989). It is a rosette-forming spoon-leaved sundew. This species iswidely variable, but generally plants are about 4 cm in diameter. Each leaf is attached to the central
rosette by a narrow 8 mm long petiole that is only glandular on the upper half. Individual leaf
laminae are typically 5 mm long and 4 mm wide. In early summer, plants will produce 8 cm tall
erect shapes with around six small white or pink flowers on each one-sided racemose inflorescence.
Each flower can be up to 6 mm across (International Carnivorous Plant Society, 2013).
Carnivorous plants are a phenomenon in the plant kingdom and are valued as ornamental
plants. They capture their prey by means of specialized trapping devices, which is an additional
way to obtain protein - a source of nitrogen that is essential for the proper development of allorganisms (Williams and Bennet, 1982). Apart from their ornamental value, the Drosera has
medicinal significance. Extracts of these plants, containing 1,4-naphthoquinones, are used as
antispasmodic agents in the treatment of respiratory tract ailments (Junipers et al., 1989). Due tothe pharmacological significance of Drosera spp., there is great demand for plant material that has
been met mainly through the exploitation of natural resources. As a solution for saving endangered
species as well as alternative sources of plant material for pharmacological purposes, in vitroⒸ ISERD

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culture of plants from the Droseraceae family has been employed (Jayram and Prasad, 2005).
For D. spatulata the chromosome numbers of 2n= 20, 40, 50 and 60 have been reported(Rivadavia and Preto, 2005).Changes in chromosome numbers may be induced via exposure ofplant tissue to various chemical preparations and forms of electromagnetic radiation (van Harten,
1998). Colchicine is an alkaloid derived from the bulbous plant Colchicum autumnale L. (autumn
crocus) (Ranney, 2003; Eigsti and Dustin, 1955). The chemical induces tetraploidy by disrupting
the metaphase stage of cellular mitosis through inhibition of the spinder fibers that segregate
replicated chromosomes into daughter cells (Eigsti and Dustin, 1955; van Harten, 1998; Recupero,
et al., 2005). Colchicine has been found to have a significant effect on polyploidy induction andthus has been widely used for inducing polyploidy in plants. Inducing polyploidy is an effectivemeans for the generation of innovative germplasm resources suitable for selective breeding.
From a single plant cultivated in vitro, many genetically identical clonal lines can be obtained
through vegetative propagation. This technique allows for an increase in the propagation rate ofvaluable plant material. In vitro micro-propagation offers a means of multiplication of ornamental
plants, rare and endangered species, as well as plants that are a source of secondary metabolites.
Mitotic polyploidization induced through chemical treatment was also used to increase the genetic
variability. Polyploids exhibiting valuable new phenotypic traits can occupy new niches andbecome agricultural and horticultural importance.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this research was to develop the in vitro micro-propagation of D. spatulata throughoptimization of the culture medium and its pH to increase the propagation rate. The application ofcolchicine to induce tetraploidy in D. spatulata was also determined.
METHODOLOGY
Plant materials and growth conditions: The seeds of D. spatulata were surface sterilized andcultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) for 18 months. Once the cultures were established, theseplantlets were used as initial materials in all experiments. The plants were maintained at 25±2 °C
under 8 h photoperiods with a light intensity of 3,200 lux. The experiments were carried out during
2012-2013 at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology
Thanyaburi, Pathumthani, Thailand.
Effect of pH levels: The plantlets were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium,
containing 3% (w/v) sucrose and 0.7% (w/v) agar at pH 5.4, 5.6 and 5.8. For each treatment four
replications of 16 plantlets were tested. The experiment was repeated two times and data wererecorded on survival rate, plant diameter, and the length and width of leaf for 7 weeks.
Effect of different strengths of MS medium: The experiment was carried out in a completely
randomized design (CRD) with four replications of 16 plantlets. The plantlets were cultured on the
different strengths of MS medium (1/3, 1/2 and full strength) at the optimum pH based on theprevious experiment. Their survival rate, plant diameter, and the length and width of leaf over thecourse of 9 weeks were observed and recorded.
Tetraploid induction: In order to compare the effect of colchicine on D. spatulata, the plantlets
were transferred to an MS medium for five weeks prior to the tetraploid induction. The experiment
was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications of 12 plantlets.
For inducing tetraploidy, the plantlets were immersed in aqueous solutions of colchicine (0, 6 and
12 mg l-1) on a rotary shaker at 25±2 °C in the dark for one week. The plantlets were then cultured
on an MS medium at pH 5.6. The effects of colchicine on the survival and growth of plantlets wererecorded over the course of five weeks. Putative polyploids were identified by measuring thedensity and size of stomata. The ploidy level was determined by chromosome counting.
Morphological observation of diploid and tetraploid plants: A set of morphological characters
were measured. Plant diameter and the length and width of leaf were measured. The width andlength of stomata in the lower epidermis of mature leaves were measured using an eyepieceⒸ ISERD

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micrometer. The stomatal density was also observed.
Chromosome preparation: Root tips of 1.5 cm in length were excised and immersed in 0.002 M
8-hydroxy quinolone at 4 °C for 2-3 hours and washed with distilled water before fixing in 3:1
ethanol: glacial acetic acid at 4 °C for 24 hours. These were then digested in 10% HCl at 60 °C for
10 minutes and washed 3 times with distilled water. Root tips were stained with basic fuchsine at
4 °C for 30-45 minutes in the dark. Afterwards, the root tips were stained with 2% (w/v) acetocarmine and squashed. The number of chromosomes was observed under a light microscope(Olympus CX21, Japan).
Statistical analysis: Comparisons of quantitative data between two variable groups were madeusing student’s t-test and morphological variation rates were subjected to an analysis of variance(ANOVA) and multiple comparisons; these factors were analyzed using Duncan’s New Multiple
Range Test (DMRT) or Least Significant Difference (LSD).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Effect of pH Levels
The pH levels had an effect on the plantlets at the second week after cultured in an MS medium.
Percentage of surviving plantlets was very low at pH 5.4 (18.75%) and was higher at pH 5.8(87.5%), while all plantlets survived at pH 5.6. Survival was severely inhibited in more acidic
media (pH 5.4).The results showed a highly significant difference on plants diameter and length ofleaf, but no significant difference on leaf width after 7 weeks. Plant diameter and length of leaf ofD. spatulata at pH 5.6 (23.22 and 14.09 mm) were observed to be higher than at pH 5.8 (17.19 and9.16 mm) (Table 1; Fig. 1). These results were similar to those of Jayaram and Prasad (2007),
which found that the highest percentage of shoot proliferation observed in D. indica were at pH 5.7.
However, the effect of pH levels on nutrient uptake and shoot proliferation has also been reported(Parliman et al., 1982).
Table 1 Effect of pH levels on plant diameter, length and width of leaf in D. spatulata
pH
Plant diameter (mm)Leaf length (mm)Leaf width (mm)MS pH 5.6
23.22±0.271/
14.09±0.65
4.79±0.08
MS pH 5.8
17.19±0.97
9.16±0.35
4.84±0.28
sig.(2-tailed)
0.006
0.001
0.798
t-test****ns*, ** indicate significant difference by student’s t-test at 5% and 1% levels of probability, respectively.
ns = not significant 1/Data represent means± S.D. of four replications each.

a

b

c

Fig. 1 D. spatulata after 7 weeks of culture in an MS medium at pH 5.4(a), 5.6(b) and 5.8(c)Effect of Different Strengths of MS Medium
The plantlets survived in all strengths of MS medium. Plant diameter and length of leaf exhibited
highly significant differences in the fourth week. The results showed no significant difference afternine weeks. Plant diameter and length of leaf were 25.95, 24.61, 25.81 and 13.31, 12.84, 13.57 mm
after 9 weeks in 1/3, 1/2 and full strength MS, respectively. The width of leaf showed a highly
significant difference after 9 weeks. The width of leaf were 5.65, 5.39, 4.50 mm after 9 weeks inⒸ ISERD

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1/3, 1/2 and full strength MS, respectively (Table 2; Fig. 2). The strength of MS medium was not
related to the survival rate of D. spatulata, but had an effect on growth and development of theplantlets during the first four weeks. According to Kim and Jang (2004), the shoot proliferation andtuber formation of D. peltata were most effective on 1/2 MS medium at pH 5.7. Carnivorous plants
usually grow in nutrient-poor environments and in poor soils; carnivore, therefore, has evolved as
an additional pathway to supplement nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus (Adamec, 1997).
Table 2 Effect of different strengths of MS medium on plant diameter, length and width ofleaf of D. spatulata after 9 weeks of culture at pH 5.6
MS strength
Plant diameter (mm)Leaf length(mm)Leaf width(mm)
1/3MS
25.95
13.31
5.65 a
1/2MS
24.61
12.84
5.39 a
MS
25.81
13.57
4.50 bF-testnsns**
CV (%)
7.61
6.18
7.25
Means in columns followed by different letters are significant difference at 5% level according to DMRT*, ** indicate significance at 5% and 1% levels of probability, respectively. ns = not significant

a

b

c

Fig. 2 D. spatulata on 1/3MS (a), 1/2MS (b), and MS (c) after 9 weeks of culture at pH 5.6
Induction and Identification of Tetraploid D. spatulata
Twenty-four out of 36 (66.7%) colchicine-treated plants survived after five weeks in all treatments.
The plant diameter and length of leaf of colchicine-treated plants (35.48, 35.28 and 20.76, 20.42mm) were significantly larger than those in not colchicine-treated (30.02 and 17.33 mm) (Table 3).
The numbers of stomata of colchicine-treated plants (4.40 and 4.40 cells) were significantly lessthan those not colchicine-treated (5.22 cells). The width and length of stomata of colchicine-treatedplants (38.75, 37.93 and 50.43, 46.37 µm) were significantly larger than those of not colchicinetreated (33.87 and 37.43 µm) (Table 3; Fig. 3). Furthermore, the earlier group matured with 2 ormore inflorescences in some colchicine-treated plants. The chromosome number from root tips of
D. spatulata in non-treated colchicine were 20 chromosomes, whereas 40 chromosomes resulted
from treated colchicine at 6 and 12 mg l-1.
Table 3 Effect of colchicine treatment on growth, number and size of stomata of D. spatulata
on MS medium at pH 5.6 after 5 weeks
Colchicine
Plant
Leaf
Leaf
Survival
Number ofSize of stomata
Concentration
diameterlengthwidth
ratestomata(µm)(mg l-1)
(mm)
(mm)
(mm)
(%)
(cell)
width
length030.02 b17.33 b4.34
66.66
5.22 a33.87 b37.43 b6
35.28 a20.42 a4.68
66.66
4.40 b
37.93 a46.37 a12
35.48 a20.76 a4.81
66.66
4.40 b38.75 a50.43 aF-test
*
*
ns
**
*
*
CV (%)
4.87
6.21
7.91
7.16
6.83
10.92
Means in columns followed by different letters are significant difference at 5% level according to LSD*, ** indicate significance at 5% and 1% levels of probability, respectively. ns = not significantⒸ ISERD

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Hence, the tetraploid induction using colchicine treatment at 6 and 12 mg l-1 can double
chromosomes from 2n=2x=20 to 2n=4x=40 (Fig. 3). Increases in ploidy can affect very specifictraits, including plant diameter, length of leaf, number and size of stomata in D. spatulata. Key
morphological variations observed in tetraploid plants included larger and thicker leaves, darker
green coloration, larger stomata, lower stomata across the lower leaf epidermis, increased numbersof chloroplasts in the stomata guard cells and increased pollen diameter (Glowacka et al., 2010).

a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

Fig. 3 Effect of the colchicine treatment on chromosome number, size of stomata and growthof D. spatulata at 0 (a, d, g), 6 (b, e, h) and 12 (c, f, i) mg l-1after 5 weeks
CONCLUSION
A pH level of 5.4 had a highly significant effect on the rate of survival and growth of the plants.
More than 80% died after cultured in an MS medium for 2 weeks. The growth of D. spatulata waslimited due to sensitivity of low pH levels. The 1/3MS medium at pH 5.6 was the most effective
medium for the micro-propagation of D. spatulata. Moreover, the plants exhibited leaves with redcolor, which are valuable and popular phenotypic traits and have market demand. Tetraploid
induction affected plant diameter and length of leaf. A concentration of colchicine at 12 mg l-1 gave
the maximum plant diameter and length of leaf of 35.48 and 20.76 mm, respectively. The numbersof stomata decreased in all colchicine-treated plants in contrast to the sizes of stomata, which
increased. The chromosome number of colchicine-treated plants doubled (2n=40).Successful use ofcolchicine to induce tetraploids in D. spatulata demonstrate an effective means to explore new
characteristics by increasing genetic variability for plant breeding in agriculture.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by a research grant from the University’s extra-budgetary revenue of theFaculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi, Thailand.
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