Verification of Geometric Model-Based Plant Phenotyping Methods for Studies of Xerophytic Plants

This paper presents the results of verification of certain non-contact measurement methods of plant scanning to estimate morphological parameters such as length, width, area, volume of leaves and/or stems on the basis of computer models. The best results in reproducing the shape of scanned objects up to 50 cm in height were obtained with the structured-light DAVID Laserscanner. The optimal triangle mesh resolution for scanned surfaces was determined with the measurement error taken into account. The research suggests that measuring morphological parameters from computer models can supplement or even replace phenotyping with classic methods. Calculating precise values of area and volume makes determination of the S/V (surface/volume) ratio for cacti and other succulents possible, whereas for classic methods the result is an approximation only. In addition, the possibility of scanning and measuring plant species which differ in morphology was investigated.

Micropropagation of Aloe vera L. grown in south Iran

Aloe vera L. is a medicinal plant grown in different parts of the world. Several papers have reported the micropropagation of this plant and its response to different combinations of hormones. In this research, we used A. vera plants grown in south Iran. MS culture medium with twenty-three combinations of hormones were used, including some of those employed previously by other researchers. Ten media showed positive results and the best result was obtained using Kin (1 mg L(-1))+IAA (0.1 mg L(-1)) which has not been reported before. Produced plantlets rooted in free hormone MS medium and transferred into soil. The survival rate was 83%.