The Scientific World Journal

Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 680356, 12 pages

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/680356

Research Article

Micropropagation of Bioencapsulation and Ultrastructural Features of Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) Grown In Vivo and In Vitro

Sadegh Mohajer,¹ Rosna Mat Taha,¹ Minoo Mohajer,² and Arash Khorasani Esmaeili¹

¹Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

²Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran 15719-14911, Iran

Received 26 February 2014; Revised 22 May 2014; Accepted 29 May 2014; Published 19 June 2014

Academic Editor: Alan K. T. Lau

Copyright © 2014 Sadegh Mohajer et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

To explore the potential of in vitro rapid regeneration, three varieties (Golpaygan-181, Orumieh-1763, and Gorgan-1601) of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. syn. Onobrychis sativa L.) were evaluated. For the first time, an encapsulation protocol was established from somatic embryogenic callus in torpedo and cotyledonary stages to create artificial seeds. Callus derived from different concentrations of Kinetin (0–2.0 mg L⁻¹) and Indole-3-acetic acid (0–2.0 mg L⁻¹) was coated with sodium alginate and subsequently cultured either in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium or in soil substrate. Adventitious shoots from synthetic beads developed into rooting in full and half strength MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of auxin and cytokinin. Prolonged water conservation of black and red soils (1 : 1) had the highest rate of survival plantlets in the acclimatization process. Diverse resistance techniques in Onobrychis viciifolia were evaluated when the plants were subjected to water deficiency. Higher frequency of epicuticular waxes was observed in in vivo leaves compared to in vitro leaves. Jagged trichomes nonsecreting glands covered by spines were only observed in the lower leaf side. Ultimately, stomata indices were 0.127 (abaxial), 0.188 (adaxial) in in vivo and 0.121 (abaxial), 0.201 (adaxial) in in vitro leaves.

1. Introduction

Despite the fact that sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is an important forage species, it has received little attention and assessment for in vitro studies. Among the attributes of sainfoin, it improves soil fertility, where the environmental conditions limit the cultivation of alfalfa, and produces safe bloat forage. Therefore, the progress of this species by genetic engineering techniques will contribute significant advantages for plant breeding objectives.

A basic prerequisite of genetic engineering is advance of an efficient adventitious shoot regeneration system for the desired species. Rapid multiplication of shoot tips is notable to reduce the cost and genetic purity of micropropagated plants. Indeed, different auxins and cytokinins concentrations in MS medium play an important role in achieving a desired rate of multiple shoot formation. Ratio of regeneration depends on culture type, composition of the medium, and the variety used [1].

Plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis is usually investigated for important objectives of somaclonal propagation and multiplication in particular genetic transformation. In reality, the critical conversion of somatic embryos into plants is attained through maturation and germination stages [2, 3]. Nowadays, production of artificial seeds or synthetic seeds, consisting of enclosed somatic embryos or shoot buds, is a highly common propagation technique. This system is an outstanding proficiency used to propagate and preserve plants and assess many species for microshoots production from somatic embryogenesis [4]. This facile and unique propagation system deliberated by Bapat et al. [5] can be utilized on both difficult to root species and worthwhile varieties. In order to promote root induction of sainfoin and overcoming the effect of cytokinin hormones during rooting, two auxin solutions, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), with different concentrations have been suggested [6, 7].

In vivo cultivation is totally different compared to in vitro growth culture during the acclimatization process. Relative humidity (RH) is an important criterion that promotes the morphological, physiological, and biochemical features of plantlet when plantlets are transferred to in vivo condition for acclimatization [8, 9]. Moreover, nutrient retained in in vitro leaves is another important factor in the process of acclimatization [10]. The exclusive novelty of the current study is successful in vitro regeneration from synthetic seeds coated consisting of embryogenic callus, while previous studies evaluated the adventitious shoot regeneration from a range of explants, including mature [11] and immature embryos, root, leaf, and stems [12].

Wide varieties of plant microstructures, including light reflection and water absorption structures, have been already defined by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The most significant threat in plant life can be referred to high temperature, because of intense radiation and decrement of water loss as a growth limiting factor. Physiological activity of land plants mainly depends on conservation of water which is carried out via plant roots. In order to hold the water and avoid the filtration of ions from interior structure in plants, a protective waxy layer called cuticle is developed that covers the epidermis cells from inside the plant [13, 14].

Whilst the intracuticular waxes are the main transport barrier to prevent the water loss and leach the molecules from inside of the living cells [15, 16], the epicuticular waxes have also an outstanding role in different plants as an interface layer. Epicuticular waxes are the cause of irritability control, self-cleaning [17], sliding of insects [18], reflection of visible light, absorption of UV radiation [19, 20], and adhesion reduction of particles [21]. Water loss might be influenced by trichomes function and affected on surface wettability [22].

In the present study, short-term stability and regeneration capacity of synthetic seeds containing embryogenic callus of Onobrychis viciifolia were investigated. Comparison of intact (in vivo) and in vitro leaf morphological structures based on epicuticular waxes, convex cells, and trichomes was also carried out using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Ultimately, this study suggests that evaluation of different resistance strategies of intact plant can be analyzed against water loss.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Explant Source

Seeds of three superior varieties (Golpaygan-181, Orumieh-1763, Gorgan-1601) of Onobrychis viciifolia were selected from the natural resources existing of gene bank in Iran. The best sterilization procedure of sainfoin’s seeds was achieved when 50% Chlorox (outside the laminar chamber-1 min) and 70% of alcohol (inside the laminar chamber-1 min) were treated, respectively. After a couple of weeks, all seeds were almost germinated in the Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 3% (w/v) sucrose and 0.75% (w/v) agar. Explant sources were derived from aseptic seedlings to leaf, stem, and root segments.

2.2. Embryogenic Callus Induction

After inoculation of seeds in MS medium, stem and leaf explants of sainfoin were cut into small pieces (2-3 mm) from aseptic seedlings using a sharp sterile blade. To induce the callus, prepared explants were inoculated in MS medium fortified with different concentrations of Kinetin (0–2.0 mg L⁻¹) and Indole-3-acetic acid (0–2.0 mg L⁻¹). All explants were placed in culture room at °C, 70% humidity and 16 h light photoperiod provided by cold fluorescent lamps for 3 weeks. Double staining method was used to ensure that the callus has truly regeneration capacity and contains the embryonic cells [23]. Fresh weight and percentage of produced callus from leaf and stem explants were measured. Different callus textures (compact and friable) were also evaluated after 3 weeks. Five various stages of somatic embryogenesis were observed using Dinocapture camera. In addition, stem and leaf explants produced adventitious shoots directly in some hormone concentrations which were calculated from 30 explants.

2.3. Encapsulation of Embryogenic Callus

Fresh calluses were collected in torpedo and cotyledonary stages of somatic embryogenesis from leaf and stem explants of the three sainfoin varieties (Gorgan-181, Orumieh-1763, and Gorgan-1601). Embryogenic calluses were isolated and mixed with/without 1 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) of autoclaved sodium alginate (5%) prepared from MS solution after adjusting the pH to 5.8. Then, the samples (3–5 mm) were dropped into solution of CaCl₂2H₂O (1% w/v). Subsequently, the beads were retained in CaCl₂2H₂O solution for 30 min and transferred to distilled water after the incubation period.

2.4. Germination Medium/Substrate

The beads (without BAP) of three varieties were germinated on various media and substrates: (1) MS basal medium + 3% sucrose + 0.8% agar (MSO) as control, (2) MS + 3% sucrose + 0.8% agar + 1 mg L⁻¹ IBA, (3) MS + 3% sucrose + 0.8% agar + 1 mg L⁻¹ NAA, (4) black sterilized soil (50% white peat + 50% black peat + 1.0 kg NPK fertilizer) + distilled water, (5) black nonsterilized soil + tap water. The beads with 1 mg L⁻¹ BAP were cultured on MSO as well. All synthetic seeds were maintained in the culture room at °C, 16 hours of light, and 8 hours of dark. The germination rate of artificial seeds was recorded after a couple of weeks. The beads were also cold-stored in the fridge at 4°C. Then, the beads were sown in MS basal medium for every 15-day interval to compare the viability of synthetic seeds.

2.5. Root Production and Acclimatization

Different auxins (NAA, IBA, and IAA) and cytokinin (BAP) concentrations were used to produce roots in regeneration process. Adventitious shoots (4-5 cm) obtained from synthetic seeds were transferred to full and half strength MS medium containing 3% sucrose and 0.75% agar. Cultures were preserved at °C, 16 hours of light, and 8 hours of dark for one month. Then, the number of roots per shoot, callus percentage, microshoots, and dry weight of plantlets were recorded. The 4-week-old plantlets with well-developed roots were transferred to plastic pots containing different black and red (clay) soil combinations. Plantlets were maintained inside a growth chamber at °C, 16-hour light for 2 weeks before being transferred to the greenhouse.

2.6. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Leaf specimens of both in vitro and in vivo grown cultures were treated with the following solutions: 1 : 1 (v/v) glutaraldehyde (4%) and phosphate buffer solution at room temperature for 1 h, phosphate buffer solution and distilled water in 1 : 1 mixture for 30 min, and osmium tetroxide (4%) at 48°C for 14 h. After rinsing the samples with distilled water, the tissues were immersed in an ethyl alcohol series (10–100%) at 15 min intervals, followed by (1) 3 : 1 ethyl alcohol and acetone for 20 min, (2) 1 : 1 ethyl alcohol and acetone for 20 min, (3) 1 : 3 ethyl alcohol and acetone for 20 min, and (4) 100% acetone for 20 min. The final step was repeated four times. The replacement of acetone with carbon dioxide was carried out several times using a critical point dryer. Eventually, the samples were coated with gold for 1 min, before the observation by SEM (JEOL 6400).

Epidermal peel was evaluated to assess trichomes on the anticlinal walls, types of stomata, epicuticular waxes, convex cells, trichomes, and stomata index of the both abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces.

Stomata index: (total numbers of stomata/(total numbers of epidermal cells + number of stomata)).

3. Results

Leaf and stem explants of O. viciifolia were cultured in MS media supplemented with different concentrations of Kinetin and IAA. Double staining method was used to detect and differentiate the embryogenic from nonembryogenic callus. Embryonic cells had large nuclei with dense cytoplasms which were stained bright red with acetocarmine (Figure 1(a)). Generally, callus was formed in stem and leaf explants after 2-3 weeks, respectively. Two types of compact and friable callus were observed with cream, green, and light green colors. Best Kinetin and IAA concentrations were chosen based on the highest percentage and fresh weight of callus. Callus induction of three sainfoin varieties from stem and leaf explants is shown in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. Somatic embryos were enlarged into distinct bipolar structures and passed through typical developmental stages, including globular, heart, torpedo, and cotyledonary stages (Figures 1(b), 1(c), 1(d), and 1(e)). Although callus percentage was low in the control culture, MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L⁻¹ Kinetin and 2 mg L⁻¹ IAA had the highest percentage in both stem and leaf explants.

Table 1: Effect of Kinetin and IAA on mean weight and callus percentage of three O. viciifolia varieties: Golpaygan-181, Orumieh-1763, and Gorgan-1601 (stem explants).

Kinetin (mg L⁻¹)
IAA (mg L⁻¹)
Weight (g)
Callus (%)
Colour
Texture
Embryo stage
Shoot/plant

0
0

Green
CO
PE
—

0.5
0

Green
CO
GL
—

1
0

Light G.
FR
GL
—

1.5
0

Cream
FR
PE
—

2
0

Light G.
CO
PE
—

0
0.5

Light G.
FR
CT
10

0.5
0.5

Green
CO
GL
—

1
0.5

Cream
FR
GL
—

1.5
0.5

Light G.
FR
GL
—

2
0.5

Light G.
FR
CT
—

0
1

Green
CO
PE
—

0.5
1

Light G.
FR
GL
—

1
1

Light G.
CO
GL
—

1.5
1

Green
CO
CT
3

2
1

Light G.
FR
PE
—

0
1.5

Light G.
FR
GL
—

0.5
1.5

Light G.
FR
CT
7

1
1.5

Green
CO
CT
2

1.5
1.5

Green
CO
CT
8

2
1.5

Green
CO
GL
—

0
2

Green
CO
PE
—

0.5
2

Light G.
FR
GL
—

1
2

Green
CO
CT
—

1.5
2

Light G.
FR
CT
—

2
2

Green
CO
CT
—

The means of the populations with the same small letters were not significantly different as per Duncan’s multirange test at .

CO: compact, FR: friable, PE: preembryo, GL: globular, CT: cotyledon, and G: green.

Table 2: Effect of Kinetin and IAA on mean weight and callus percentage of three O. viciifolia varieties: Golpaygan-181, Orumieh-1763, and Gorgan-1601 (leaf explants).

Kinetin (mg L⁻¹)
IAA (mg L⁻¹)
Weight (g)
Callus (%)
Colour
Texture
Embryo stage
Shoot/plant

0
0

Green
CO
PE
—

0.5
0

Green
CO
GL
—

1
0

Light G.
FR
GL
—

1.5
0

Cream
FR
GL
—

2
0

Light G.
FR
PE
—

0
0.5

Light G.
CO
CT
15

0.5
0.5

Light G.
FR
GL
—

1
0.5

Cream
FR
GL
—

1.5
0.5

Light G.
CO
GL
—

2
0.5

Cream
FR
CT
—

0
1

Green
CO
PE
—

0.5
1

Light G.
FR
GL
—

1
1

Light G.
CO
CT
—

1.5
1

Green
CO
CT
6

2
1

Light G.
FR
GL
—

0
1.5

Light G.
FR
CT
14

0.5
1.5

Light G.
FR
CT
7

1
1.5

Green
CO
CT
2

1.5
1.5

Green
CO
GL
—

2
1.5

Green
CO
GL
—

0
2

Green
CO
PE
18

0.5
2

Light G.
FR
CT
—

1
2

Green
CO
GL
—

1.5
2

Light G.
FR
CT
—

2
2

Green
CO
GL
—

The means of the populations with the same small letters were not significantly different as per Duncan’s multirange test at .

CO: compact, FR: friable, PE: preembryo, GL: globular, CT: cotyledon, G: green.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

Figure 1: Stages of somatic embryogenesis in Onobrychis viciifolia (a–f). (a) Embryogenic callus in double staining method with camera lens, magnification of 40x; (b) globular stage and friable callus in root explants; (c) heart-shaped stage; (d) torpedo stage; (e) cotyledonary embryo stage; (f) shoot formation.

Pregerminated torpedo and cotyledonary shaped somatic embryos were used for encapsulation (Figure 1(d)). Encapsulated somatic embryos derived from stem explants induced the highest percentage of microshoots from the Golpaygan-181 variety. Conversion into adventitious shoots increased from the beads cultured in MSO (control culture) to MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L⁻¹ NAA. However, MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L⁻¹ IBA had an optimum effect on germination rate of synthetic seeds (Figure 2(a)). The survival rate of plantlets increased significantly when the beads derived from leaf explants were cultured in MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L⁻¹ IBA. In line with this, 1 mg L⁻¹ BAP and 1 mg L⁻¹ NAA had also the positive influence in germination rates of the synthetic seeds, respectively. The survival rates of plantlets varied from 11.98% to 54.32% in the three sainfoin varieties, with maximum survival rate of beads obtained from leaf explants, which was observed in MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L⁻¹ IBA in Golpaygan-181 variety (Figure 2(b)).

(a)

(b)

Figure 2: Percentage of germination from encapsulated somatic embryos of Onobrychis viciifolia on matrice of medium and variety: (a) stem and (b) leaf.

Sterilized soil showed the least preferred germination substrate in both stem and leaf synthetic seeds. In this regard, Golpaygan-181 had the maximum germination with 8.97% (Figures 3(b) and 3(d)). Although the survival rate was increased from control MS medium to nonsterilized soil in stem beads, soil substrates had a lower survival percentage in the leaf synthetic seeds (Table 3). Temperature and storage period are important factors to determine the regeneration frequency of the encapsulated somatic embryos. Approximately, 50–60% viability of stem and leaf synthetic seeds fell after 15-day storage at 4°C (Table 3).

Table 3: Effect of storage durations and soil substrates on mean synthetic seed germination of control condition∗.

Varieties
Nonsterilized soil (%)
Sterilized soil (%)
Storage at 4°C

15 days
30 days
45 days

Leaf

    Golpaygan-181

—

    Orumieh-1763

—

    Gorgan-1601

—
—

Stem

    Golpaygan-181

—

    Orumieh-1763

—

    Gorgan-1601

—
—

Control condition: sodium alginate + MS medium.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

Figure 3: Micropropagation of O. viciifolia: (a) synthetic seeds in MS medium, (b) artificial seeds in black soil, (c) microshoots induction from synthetic seed, (d) seed germination in black soil, (e) adventitious roots induction, and (f) acclimatization and complete plantlets of O. viciifolia.

Root production was a difficult stage after adventitious shoot induction in sainfoin synthetic seeds. MS medium supplemented with IBA showed no significant root production in this recalcitrant species. Concentrations of IBA and NAA with BAP did not induce high adventitious roots as well. Micropropagated shoots induced 52.62% root formation in half strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L⁻¹ NAA. Shoot cultured on full MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L⁻¹ NAA and 0.5 mg L⁻¹ BAP had the highest percentage of rooting with 82.35% (Figure 3(e)). Among the three types of auxin, NAA was superior in comparison with IBA and IAA in terms of root number induction per shoot (Table 4).

Table 4: The responses of multiple shoots derived from encapsulated seeds on MS medium supplemented with different auxins and cytokinins concentrations.

MS + hormones (mg L⁻¹)
Observations (%)
Number

BAP
Shoot
Callus
Necrosis
Root
Root/plant
Shoot/plant

Control

NR
86.47
12.24
NR
—
—

IBA

    1
0.5

NR
—
18

    2
0.5

1
12

    0.5
—
NR

NR
—
—

    1
—
NR

2
—

    0.25
0.25

NR
—
14

    2
—
NR

2
—

NAA

    1
0.5
NR
NR

3
—

    0.5
—

NR
—
7

    0.25
—
NR

2
—

    0.5
—
NR

—
—

    2
—
NR

—
—

IAA

    0.25
0.25

4
4

    1
0.25
NR

NR
—
—

    2
0.5
NR

NR
—
—

    1
0.5
NR

NR
—
—

    1
0.25

2
6

    2
—
NR

NR
—
—

    1
—
NR

NR
—
—

Half strength

    1 mg/L IBA
—
NR

3
—

    1 mg/L IAA
—

NR

1
11

    1 mg/L NAA
—
NR

2
—

NR = no response was obtained.

The survival percentage of plantlets was affected by different soil substrates. It was revealed that black soil had lower efficiency as compared with red soil in acclimatization stage (Figure 3(f)). Combined substrates of red and black soils (ratio 1 : 1) had the highest survival percentage (98%) of plantlets (Table 5). Subsequently, plantlets were transplanted to the greenhouse with 100% survival rate and grown to 30 cm after 2 months.

Table 5: Acclimatization of plantlets of O. viciifolia in different soil substrates.

Methods
Observations
Survival rate (%)

Autoclaved black soil +  MS
Most plantlets were weak with low vigour
45%

Non-autoclaved black soil
Most plantlets became weak after 3 weeks
65%

Non-autoclaved red soil
Normal growth but some plots contaminated due to high humidity
72%

Non-autoclaved black soil : red soil at ratio 1 : 1
The best situation of water adjustment, normal growth
98%

Epidermal peels of in vitro and in vivo (intact plant) leaves were studied thoroughly. In order to achieve this, properties of both lower (abaxial) and upper leaf sides (adaxial) were assessed. Anticlinal walls and polygonal epidermal cells were exposed in the abaxial leaf sides of in vivo and in vitro (Figures 4(a) and 5(a)). Additionally, basic outline of the epidermal cells was elongated to polygonal cells with more than four edges, whereas cell boundaries were U-undulated in both in vivo and in vitro adaxial leaves (Figures 6(a) and 7(a)). Jagged trichomes nonsecreting glands covered by spines (botanically thorns) were only observed in the lower leaf side. Mean length of trichome in in vitro leaves was more than that in in vivo leaves (Figures 4(d) and 5(d)). Cuticle folding was induced by an undulated morphology of the underlying cellulose cell wall. Unlike the epidermal cells, folding or tubercular (verrucate) patterns were recognized in trichomes (Figures 4(d) and 5(d)). The cell sculptures or curvature of the outer epidermis wall (periclinal wall) has a great influence on the surface roughness in the micrometer scale.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 4: Abaxial side of in vitro leaf: (a) basic outlines of epidermal cells, (b) elongated polygonal cells with more than four edges, (c) open anomocytic stomata, and (d) folded jagged trichomes.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 5: Abaxial side of in vivo leaf: (a) basic outlines of epidermal cells, (b) micropattern of small enhanced spots, formed by calcium oxide, (c) basal cell and stalk cell, and (d) folded jagged trichomes.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 6: Adaxial side of in vitro leaf: (a) basic outlines of epidermal polygonal cells, (b) convex cell form with irregular cuticular shrinking, (c) guard cells and inner wall, and (d) open anomocytic stomata.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 7: Adaxial side of in vivo leaf: (a) outlines of U-undulated and convex cell, (b) basic outlines of epidermal polygonal cells, (c) close anomocytic stomata, and (d) three-dimensional structures waxes.

Among the three basic forms of cell curvatures (tabular, convex, and concave), convex cells shaped cupolas were observed on the adaxial epidermal surface of both in vivo and in vitro leaves (Figures 6(b) and 7(b)). Some research has demonstrated that the impact of water loss leads to collapse cells. Along this line, sufficient humidity and water were the cause of convex cells shrinking in in vitro leaves (Figure 6(c)). Moreover, hierarchical surface structures including cuticle folding were not observed in the convex cells.

In the classification of wax morphologies, several three-dimensional structures such as crusts, threads, plates, platelets, filaments, rods, and tubules have been distinguished. Both in vivo and in vitro leaves had 3D and platelet waxes on their epidermal cells (Figure 7(c)). Platelet waxes on adaxial side were more than the underside of leaf in both growth cultures. In reality, the epidermal surface of in vivo leaves was exposed to a higher amount of platelet waxes in comparison with in vitro leaves in a specific pattern around stomata and subsidiary cells (Figures 5(c) and 7(c)).

Some microstructures of epidermal cells arising from subcuticular inserts of mineral crystals were identified in upper leaf side which were clear in intact specimens. In this manner, stomata and their surrounding cells had a micropattern of small enhanced spots, formed by subcuticular inserts of calcium oxalate (Figure 5(b)). To regulate both the water evaporation and gas exchanges, leaves developed specialized breathing pores called stomata which were anomocytic in this research (Figure 6(d)). Stomata indices were 0.127 (abaxial), 0.188 (adaxial) in in vivo and 0.121 (abaxial), 0.201 (adaxial) in in vitro leaves, respectively. Stomata interrupted the cuticular layer but could be closed (intact plants) when the humidity and water reduced in high temperature days of in vivo growth culture (Figures 5(b) and 7(d)). However, this barrier limits the uptake of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis from the atmosphere.

4. Discussion

Sainfoin seed production is not economical for farmers, since it should be harvested at flowering stage when the crop has the highest yield and best fodder quality. In order to overcome this situation, synthetic seeds technology might be the solution, due to the fact that the cost of seed production can be lowered through synthetic seed method compared to graining. Artificial seed induced through tissue culture is free from pathogens. Therefore, avoiding the bulk transportation of plants, quarantine, and spread of diseases are significant advantages of encapsulated propagules. In this study, either propagation of Onobrychis viciifolia was obtained in the large number or genetic uniformity of plants was preserved. Vegetative propagation method is recommended highly for preservation of uniformity and unique characteristics of sainfoin, while sexual propagation methods make heterogeneity varieties due to the outbreeding nature of this species [24].

Callus induction was achieved on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of Kn and IAA. In this regard, the obtained embryogenic callus can be considered as the source of explants for further experiments. Encapsulation technique has sufficient potential for adventitious shoot production with high germination rate, which has been successfully applied in some species, like sandalwood, Valeriana wallichii, Guazuma crinita, and Paulownia elongate [25, 26].

Although a number of plants produced adventitious roots spontaneously in tissue culture, sainfoin lacks efficient root systems in in vitro culture. Therefore, rooting procedure from the shoot was carried out in a separate step by subculturing in full and half strength MS medium containing different concentrations of auxin and cytokinin. Root initiation process is critical mainly to provide sufficient stimulus by the concentration of required hormones. High doses of cytokinin used in the current study prevented the adventitious shoots for the normal rooting proliferation. The main restrictive parameters in vegetative propagation of sainfoin have been reported with very low frequency to be the establishment of rooted plantlets [6, 7]. Most of the previous researches used full strength MS medium supplemented with NAA to induce root [27, 28]. Besides, excised rooting from adventitious shoots was studied in both half and full strength MS medium in the present research. Subsequently, the highest rooting percentage was identified in full strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L⁻¹ NAA and 0.5 mg L⁻¹ BAP. Prolonged water conservation of red soil was significantly higher than black soil to increase the survival rates of plantlets in acclimatization. Deficit of water storage in black soil, which is required for further photosynthesis process, was inevitably compensated via the function of in vivo leaves. Since the black soil was lack of appropriate texture to maintain water, plantlet leaves were severely affected to wilting and necrosis of leaf blades. Despite the fact that plantlets indicated the notable survival rate in the red soil, equal mix ratio of black and red soil was recommended for acclimatization with 98% success rate.

It was observed that sainfoin beads were not cold resistant due to the low percentage of germination after storage at 4°C. In reality, other techniques should be contemplated to preserve the sainfoin artificial seeds from cold tension. Elvax 4260 (ethylene vinyl acetate acrylic acid terpolymer, Du Pont, USA) inoculation can be suggested to prevent the rapid water loss when the artificial beads are exposed to the surrounding environment [29].

Water transpiration is a natural and self-cooling mechanism for plants [30]. Subsequently, to minimize the water loss during drought season, leaves of nonsucculent plants use various mechanisms. In this respect, carbon dioxide absorption is raised and consequently photosynthesis process is enhanced due to the existence of stomata in amphistomatous (stomata on both sides) leaves [31]. To explore more clarifications, diverse resistance techniques used by Onobrychis viciifolia were evaluated when the plants were subjected to water deficiency. Transpiration barrier feature of leaves originates from hydrophobic material made up by a polymer called “cutin” and integrated and superimposed lipids called “waxes” [32, 33]. Additionally, to lessen the water deprivation, the cuticle prevents leaching of ions from inside the cells to outside. In fact, the cuticle and waxes are the main mentioned factors in transpiration barrier. Gibson [34] stated that thicknesses of both cuticle and waxes were increased in order to reduce the water loss in the dry regions. Similar observations in our research indicated that epicuticular waxes had higher frequency in in vivo leaves compared to in vitro leaves.

Convex cells morphology of microstructured surface which is found on the leaves and stems of flowering plants is originated by expansion of the outer side (periclinal wall) of the epidermis cells [35, 36]. Based on the comparison of in vivo and in vitro leaves, cells shrinking were induced by water loss due to convex cell morphology and sufficient water of MS media in in vitro growth culture (Figure 6(b)). Convex cells that contained water were observed in the epidermal layer of in vivo leaves when the water was scarce in soil (Figure 7(a)). Water evaporation rate was controlled by opening (Figure 6(b)) and closing (Figure 7(c)) functions of stomata. Closing of stomata took place in order to reduce the water evaporation when plants could receive insufficient amount of water through the roots (Figure 7(c)). Adversely, stomata were opened when the gas exchange process was the main objective (Figure 6(d)).

The functions of trichomes are to protect the plants from herbivores, heat, and sunlight. They also control leaf temperature as well as water loss through glandular trichomes. They produce various substances, which are stored at the plant surface. Moreover, leaf trichomes can protect plants against drought by reducing absorption of solar radiation, which in turn reduces the heat load and minimizes the need for transpirational cooling. Tolerance to drought can be also related to plant traits such as shoot and root morphology, root/shoot ratio, leaf wax production, the leaf area to volume ratio, and leaf area per stem [36, 37]. The cuticle folding of tissue was observed in the trichome (Figure 5(d)). Plant cuticle folds are used to (1) stabilize thin cell walls, (2) decrease wettability with water and contamination by both cuticle hydrophobicity and its microscopic sculpture (contact area reduction), and (3) set up surface reflection properties [38, 39]. Physiological and mechanical characteristics of species are influenced by bioactive elements such calcium [36]. Calcium oxalates are widespread in plants, including both dicotyledons and monocotyledons. They may represent storage forms of calcium and oxalic acid, and there has been some evidence of calcium oxalate resorption at times of calcium depletion. Fauteux et al. [40] reported the resistance increment of plants against pathogenic fungi by silica function. In the current study, calcium oxalates were clearly observed in intact leaves, but not in leaves of in vitro grown plants (Figure 5(b)).

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the University of Malaya, Malaysia, for the facilities and financial support provided (IPPP Grant PV025/2011B and UMRG Grant RP025-2012A).

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