Tissue-Culture, Bulblet Regeneration, and Genetic Manipulation Systems in Lycoris

Abstract

Abstract The genus Lycoris Herb. (Amaryllidaceae), comprising species of significant ornamental and medicinal value, faces considerable challenges in propagation and genetic improvement through conventional methods. The slow rate of natural bulblet formation and the long juvenile phase from seed, compounded by sterility in many elite cultivars, necessitate the application of advanced biotechnological tools. This review provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of the progress in Lycoris biotechnology. We first examine the state-of-the-art in in vitro tissue culture, comparing the efficacy of different explants and regeneration pathways, including direct and indirect organogenesis, and addressing persistent bottlenecks such as phenolic browning and somaclonal variation. We then delve into the molecular physiology underpinning bulblet regeneration, synthesizing transcriptomic and metabolic data to construct a model of the intricate carbohydrate-hormone signaling network that governs this process. A major focus is placed on the formidable challenge of genetic transformation in this recalcitrant monocot genus. We analyze the barriers to stable Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and discuss potential strategies for overcoming them, including the prospective application of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Finally, we highlight a recent and pivotal breakthrough: the successful establishment of a Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) system in Lycoris chinensis. We critically evaluate the methodology, applications, and limitations of this transient gene knockdown tool, which currently represents the most viable approach for functional genomics in the genus. This synthesis of knowledge identifies the development of a robust somatic embryogenesis and stable transformation pipeline as the ultimate frontier, while positioning VIGS as the critical enabling technology for near-term advances in understanding and improving this valuable genus.

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