Anyone wondered why and how Aloe vera leaves develop white spots.
(i) We’ve developed in vitro protocol for Aloe vera, and there were no white spots were appeared in the leaves when incubated under in vitro conditions.
Under in vitro conditions, white spots appeared,
(a) During delayed subculture
(b) When shoots are left with the minimal medium.
Similarly, the non-stripped shoots were developed white spots when transferred to ex vitro or in vivo conditions.
(ii) In the second experiment, the pups or offsprings (approx. 5 cm) developed from the mother plant’s root and rhizome, had no white spots. The offsprings were maintained indoor for 2 months and no white spots were observed. The plants developed white spots in the leaves when placed under shade as well as outdoor.
What is the mechanism behind the white spot development in the Aloe vera leaves?
Your valuable comments on the topic are much appreciated.
White spots can be normal genetic pigmentation and are no problem. But if the spots are raised, sunken or scaled (etc.), then they might represent disease, over-watering or sun damage :)
Andrew Paul McKenzie Pegman, yes it is a normal phenomenon observed in Aloe vera, but changes are observed in white spots at altered environments. I would like to know the mechanism behind it. Thank you...
Dear M. Manokari thanks for posting this interesting technical question on RG. As an inorganic chemists I'm absolutely no specialist in this field. However, I noticed that this seems to be a relatively common phenomenon. There are a number of closely related questions and discussions on the internet. For example, please have a look at the following potentially useful links:
Need help my Aloe Vera begun forming white spots
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5044169/need-help-my-aloe-vera-begun-forming-white-spots
Why does my aloe vera plant have white spots?
https://askinglot.com/why-does-my-aloe-vera-plant-have-white-spots
White Spots On Aloe Plant: Reasons Why They Exists & How To Fix?
https://www.floradelaterre.com/white-spots-on-aloe-plant/
6 Tips To Fix Aloe Vera Plant White Spots Issue
https://indoormint.com/aloe-vera-plant-white-spots/
Apparently such white spots on Aloe vera can be natural or caused by fungi. I hope this helps. Good luck with your work!
The normal flat white spots of lack of green pigment can be caused by low light intensity or can be genetic. I just checked :)
M. Manokari
Could you post a picture for us to see the "white spots" (in vitro tissue-cultured tissue)? From your descriptions, the 'white spots' appear If: (a) During delayed subculture and (b) When shoots are left with the minimal medium. So, based on (a) and (b) nutrients (macro- and micro-nutrients, vitamins) is deficient. Efficient nutrients in the in vitro vassals have been depleted if delayed subculturing occur. That is why we need to subculture them every 2-3 weeks. Minimal medium also can mean that some other important nutrient elements did not add in the medium. This is just my own opinion which based on your description.
Dear Yuan-Yeu Yau
Thank you for your appreciable opinion, the photographs are a part of a research project, I do not hold permission to share them, the research findings will be online soon and I'll share them here in the future.
Dear Manokari, the following phraeses can help you understand yuor question. Variegation. A few aloes are naturally variegated, meaning that white areas are part of their normal pigmentation. White areas on variegated aloes are incapable of producing chlorophyll. ... The mutant gene for variegation is still present, making it likely that new leaves will eventually develop white areas.
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