Antioxidants enhance in vitro plant regeneration by inhibiting the accumulation of peroxidase in Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.).

Plant tissue necrosis and subsequent cell death are usually observed during in vitro regeneration in conifers, especially in plant regeneration via somatic organogenesis in pine species. Cell death is correlated with the elevated levels of peroxides. In this investigation, the effects of antioxidants on in vitro regeneration of Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.) were evaluated. Antioxidants, polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) and 1,4-dithio-DL-threitol (DTT), were found to improve callus formation, shoot differentiation and growth, and shoot rooting by inhibiting tissue necrosis during the initiation of cultures and subculture of shoots. These treatments enabled the recovery and regeneration plants at high frequency through somatic organogenesis. Compared to the control, the frequencies of callus formation, shoot growth, and shoot rooting increased 15, 26, and 19%, respectively, by addition of 5 g/l PVPP and 2 g/l DTT. Higher peroxidase activity of tissue cultures during subculture from callus proliferation medium to shoot differentiation medium and to rooting medium was observed. The addition of antioxidants reduces and inhibits browning by reducing the accumulation of peroxidase.