Effects of Light and Temperature on the Long-term Storage of in vitro Gerbera Plantlets

This study was carried out to determine the proper long-term storage conditions for healthy growth after acclimatization while minimizing the subculture in gerbera tissue cultures. in vitro gerbera plantlets were exposed to two levels of temperature (4°C, 8°C) and two levels of light conditions (light 30 µmol·m^-2·s-1, dark 0 µmol·m^-2·s-1). After storage with the light conditions set to 16 hours from 3 to 48 weeks, the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and vitality as measured according to the plant height, leaf number, leaf chlorosis ratio, dry matter level, and shoot withering were observed. As a result, in the short-term storage condition of 12 weeks, the quality of the plantlets was well maintained in the light condition without a temperature difference of 4°C and 8°C. On the other hand, long-term storage conditions after 12 weeks, temperature (4°C < 8°C) and light both had a direct effect on whether the quality of the plantlets was maintained. in vitro low temperature storage was possible for up to 36 weeks under 8°C light conditions. It is concluded that commercial low temperature storage conditions are suitable for short-term (1–12 weeks) light conditions at 4°C and long-term conditions (12 weeks or more) at 8°C, leading to a survival rate of 90% or more and a leaf chlorosis ratio of 10% or less.