16 Dec 2024

Tissue Culture of Haworthia Turgida

Anjali Singh

As a content and community manager, I leverage my expertise in plant biotechnology, passion for tissue culture, and writing skills to create compelling articles, simplifying intricate scientific concepts, and address your inquiries. As a dedicated science communicator, I strive to spark curiosity and foster a love for science in my audience.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Can you tissue culture Haworthia plants too? Theoretically, it’s possible to tissue culture any plant. However, what’s essential is a reliable protocol and an environment that ensures the plant thrives in vitro.

Haworthia, a succulent genus from the Liliaceae family, has captured the attention of gardeners, botanists, and plant collectors worldwide due to its distinct leaf morphology and unique translucent "window" structures.

Among its species, Haworthia turgida stands out for its compact radial leaves and ornamental value, especially in miniature gardens and office spaces. However, traditional propagation methods, like leaf cutting, are slow and yield limited offshoots.

That's why this article covers all you need to know about introducing Haworthia plant into tissue culture. So, read on!

All About The Haworthia Turgida — The Windowpane Plant

Haworthia turgida, commonly known as the windowpane plant, is a succulent native to the rocky limestone and slate cliffs of South Africa's Western Cape province. Its common name derives from the translucent "window" effect of its leaves, which allows light to pass through.

In its natural habitat, Haworthia thrives in shaded areas beneath thorn bushes, protected from intense sunlight. This plant features compact rosettes, 5–10 cm in diameter, with 20–40 tightly packed, fleshy leaves. The leaves are broad, thick, and ovate-lanceolate to long-triangular, showcasing a crystalline texture.

Typically grassy green to yellowish-green, the leaves turn yellow under strong light. During spring, Haworthia turgida produces upright, wiry stems with small tubular white flowers.

The species is well-suited to winter growth, becoming dormant during hot summer months. It thrives in porous, well-draining soil, requiring water only when the soil is dry to the touch.

Overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot.

Several varieties of this species exist, such as Haworthia turgida var. longibracteata and Haworthia turgida var. suberecta, each with its unique characteristics.

Its distinct translucent leaves and compact growth habit have made Haworthia turgida a favorite among botanists and succulent enthusiasts.

Although propagation through leaf cuttings is possible, it is slow and yields only a few offshoots per plant. This limitation makes tissue culture an attractive alternative for the mass propagation of Haworthia. Micropropagation not only bypasses seasonal and environmental restrictions but also enables large-scale production.

Classification of Haworthia turgida

• Clade: Angiosperms
• Class: Monocots
• Order: Asparagales
• Family: Asphodelaceae
• Sub-family: Asphodeloideae
• Genus: Haworthia
• Species: H. turgida

Propagation of Haworthia Using Tissue Culture Techniques

The method for culturing Haworthia turgida using tissue culture techniques is outlined below.

Materials Required

Fresh leaves of Haworthia turgida explants, liquid detergent, 70% ethanol, double distilled water, 0.1% HgCl2, 0.05% Tween-20, disinfected filter paper, and sterilized blade.

Preparation of the culture medium:

• Murashige-Skoog basal salts and vitamins as base medium mixed with 3 % (w/v) sucrose and 0.7% (w/v) agar.
• Adjust the pH of the medium to 5.8.
• Autoclave the medium at 121 ℃ for 20 minutes.
• Add plant growth regulators before adjusting the pH of the medium and sterilizing it.

Procedure

Sterilizing the leaf explants:

1. Wash the fresh leaves of Haworthia turgida in tap water mixed with a few drops of liquid detergent for 30 minutes.
2. Decontaminate the leaves with 70% ethanol for 30 seconds.
3. Wash the leaves with two to three changes of sterile water.
4. Sterilize the leaf explants with 0.1% HgCl2 mixed with 0.05% Tween-20 for 5 minutes.
5. Then, wash the explants 3-4 times with sterilized water and dry them using disinfectant filter papers.
6. Remove the injured tissues from the sterilized leaves and cut them into 0.5-1.0 cm pieces.

Callus induction and propagation:

1. Inoculate the leaf explants on the prepared basal MS culture medium with 0.1 mg/L NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid) and 1.0 mg/L BA (6-benzyladenine).
2. Place the cultures at 23-25 ℃ under a 14 hour photoperiod in cool-white fluorescent lamps.
3. The callus will develop in a few weeks. Keep observing your cultures.
4. When the callus is generated, cut them into 1-2 cm2 pieces.
5. Transfer the pieces of callus to a fresh medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/L TDZ (thidiazuron), 0.1 mg/L NAA, and 1.0 mg/L BA for callus proliferation.
6. After 30 days, you can observe a full-grown healthy callus.

Adventitious shoot differentiation:

1. Cut the healthy callus into small pieces of 2 cm2.
2. Transfer the callus to the MS medium containing 1.0 mg/L BA and 0.2 mg/L 2,4-D for adventitious shoot induction.

Induction of root formation:

1. When the shoots are grown 2-3 cm, transfer them to the MS medium with 0.05 mg/L NAA.
2. After 30 days, you can observe the root formation.
3. Take out the rooted plants from the culture vessel and wash them in running water to remove the attached agar.
4. Then, transfer the plants to acclimatization boxes (7 x 7 cm) with a mixture of vermiculite and flower nutrient soil. Then, place the plants in the greenhouse under a natural photoperiod condition at 23-27 ℃ and 70% relative humidity.

How to Maintain Haworthia turgida in Outdoor Environments

Haworthia turgida is a resilient succulent that adapts well to outdoor conditions, provided its care requirements are carefully managed.

Here’s a guide to keeping your plant thriving in an outdoor setting:

1. Watering Needs

Haworthia turgida is highly drought-tolerant and thrives with minimal watering, reflecting its adaptation to arid environments. Water the plant every three weeks, ensuring the soil is completely dry between watering sessions. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering may cause the leaves to shrivel. Keep an eye on the plant’s appearance—healthy, plump leaves are a sign of proper hydration.

2. Sunlight Requirements

Outdoors, Haworthia turgida prefers partial sun with bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate full sun exposure, prolonged periods under harsh sunlight may cause leaf scorching or discoloration. Place the plant in a location that offers morning sunlight and shade during peak afternoon hours to maintain its vibrant color and prevent stress.

3. Temperature Tolerance

This succulent demonstrates impressive resilience to temperature extremes, thriving in a range of 20–38℃ (68–100℉). However, in colder climates, temperatures dropping to 0℃ (32℉) may stress the plant, resulting in discoloration or wilting. Similarly, during heatwaves, provide additional hydration and shade to protect the leaves from sunburn. In frosty regions, consider moving the plant indoors or providing insulation.

4. Soil and Drainage

Well-draining soil is essential for outdoor growth. Use a gritty, porous mix designed for succulents to prevent water from pooling around the roots. Avoid compact or clay-heavy soil, as it can retain excess moisture, leading to root damage.

5. Transplanting Tips

If you need to transplant Haworthia turgida, the best time is during mid to late autumn or early winter. These cooler months allow the plant to establish its roots without the stress of extreme heat. Choose a partially shaded spot with well-draining soil and handle the roots delicately during the transplant process.

With its adaptability and striking appearance, Haworthia turgida is a rewarding addition to any outdoor garden. By meeting its specific care requirements, you can enjoy this charming succulent's beauty and resilience in a natural environment.

Plant Cell Technology: Your Partner In Plant Tissue Culture

Are you passionate about plants and fascinated by the potential of plant tissue culture? Plant Cell Technology understands your aspirations and is here to be your trusted partner in building a thriving home lab.

We recognize that setting up a home lab and mastering the intricacies of plant tissue culture can be challenging. However, with the right tools, knowledge, and support, you can cultivate success and unlock a world of possibilities.

How Plant Cell Technology Empowers You:

• Essential Supplies: Access a comprehensive range of high-quality media, agar, gelling agents, culture vessels, and more, ensuring you have the right tools for every step.
• Expert Knowledge: Gain confidence through our informative resources:
• Comprehensive blog articles: Explore topics from basic principles to advanced techniques.
• Master Classes: Immerse yourself in in-depth sessions led by experienced instructors, gaining valuable hands-on experience and mastering advanced techniques.
• Consultation Services: Get personalized advice and tailored solutions from our experts, ensuring your home lab journey flourishes.
• Community Connection: Join our vibrant community forum to connect with fellow enthusiasts, share experiences, and stay updated on the latest advancements.

References

1. Liu, B., Fang, H., Meng, C., Chen, M., Chai, Q., Zhang, K., & Liu, S. (2017). Establishment of a Rapid and Efficient Micropropagation System for Succulent Plant Haworthia turgida Haw. . HortScience, 52(9), 1278–1282. DOI:10.21273/hortsci12056-17
2. Mycock, D. J., Watt, M. P., Hannweg, K. F., Naicker, K., Makwarela, M., & Berjak, P. (1997). Somatic embryogenesis of two indigenous South African Haworthia spp. (H. limifolia and H. koelmaniorum). South African Journal of Botany, 63(6), 345–350. DOI:10.1016/s0254-6299(15)30784-5
3. http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Aloaceae/16777/Haworthia_turgida
4. http://www.gardenanswers.com/succulents/haworthia-...
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haworthia_turgida
6. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Haworthia_turgida.html