COMPARATIVE LEAF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF Nepeta nuda L. PLANTLETS, REGENERATED FROM CRYOPRESERVED SHOOT MERISTEM AND ex vitro-ADAPTED PLANTS.

The leaf anatomy and chloroplast ultrastructure of Nepeta nuda L. plantlets regenerated in vitro from cryopreserved shoot apical meristem and in vitro-micropropagated plantlets were studied comparatively to assess whether cryoprocedure affected leaf morphogenesis. Both postcryo and in vitro plantlets failed to develop a distinguishable palisade layer, making the mesophyll appear homogeneous. Significant damage to the chloroplast envelope and substantial thylakoid ruptures were also observed. We assumed that the specific in vitro conditions more likely affected the structures than the cryotreatment itself. Light and transmission electron microscopy observations were also carried out on newly formed leaves of ex vitro-adapted plants. The examined leaf features were similar to those in the in situ plants -- bifacial leaf lamina, double-layered palisade parenchyma, loosely arranged spongy parenchyma cells, and chloroplasts with intact envelope and evenly distributed throughout the stroma internal membrane system. The obtained histological and ultrastructural results revealed the retained morphogenetic potential of N. nuda plants and proved cryopreservation as a suitable method for long-term storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]