Establishment of Acclimatization System and Growth Characteristics for Regenerated Plants of Oplopanax elatus Nakai

Background: Oplopanax elatus is widely distributed at high altitudes (about 1,100 m) in China, Russia and Korea. It is hard to propagate, breed, and difficult to grow. Hence, it has been designated as a rare and endangered medicinal plant. A study was conducted to establish a system for large scale seedling production of Oplopanax elatus in vitro and to find the ideal environment for its seedling growth. Methods and Results: In this study, the explants produced under in vitro conditions during our previous study were grouped into three categories (under 10 mm, 10 mm - 30 mm and above 30 mm) based on plant height and were transferred to the growth-chamber and greenhouse for two weeks in each setting for acclimatization. The plantlet category of above 30 mm showed good performance, and was further evaluated under three acclimatization methods as follows: three different growth media (commercial soil, commercial soil + perlite, commercial soil + sand), four shading levels (0%, 50%, 70%, 90%) and four altitude levels (157 m, 218 m, 601 m, 870 m) in Gangwon province of South Korea. As results, O. elatus seedlings showed better growth characteristics at 870 m of altitude, 70% shading level and in the commercial soil compared to other treatments. Conclusions: The regenerated seedlings of Oplopanax elatus obtained through plant tissue culture would be advantageous for use in large scale seedling production systems paired with a good acclimation method. For obtaining optimal results, it is recommended that seedling be acclimatized in a high altitude environment.

땃두릅나무 재분화 유식물체의 순화 체계 및 생육 특성