Somatic embryogenesis in Vaccinium vitis-idaea and genetic fidelity evaluation of regenerants using molecular markers together with their phytochemical profile.

A proficient plant propagation technique using somatic embryogenesis was successfully established in lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), a small evergreen shrub. The formation of callus and somatic embryos was observed in two lingonberry genotypes during the process. The most favorable conditions for embryogenic callus induction were observed on a nutrient medium supplemented with 5.5 µM thidiazuron. To confirm the development of somatic embryos, scanning electron microscopy analysis was conducted. The embryos were further cultured on a nutrient medium with 4.0 μM zeatin to facilitate their transformation into plantlets. The growth chamber-maintained ex vitro plants were compared with in vitro-grown somatic embryonic plants to determine whether the regenerants exhibited clonal stability. This was done by using 3 EST-SSR, 3 EST-PCR, and 3 genomic SSR primers. All in vitro- and ex vitro-grown plants displayed similar monomorphic amplification profiles in both genotypes, indicating that they maintained genetic fidelity. The total flavonoid and anthocyanin contents, antioxidant activity, and the catalase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities were higher in SE plants than ex vitro-grown plants. On the other hand, total phenolic and proanthocyanin contents and glutathione reductase enzyme activity was more in the ex vitro plants compared to SE plants.