Micropropagation and acclimatization of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.)

Abstract

The main objective of the present work was to find the optimal way of multiplicating yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea L.). Due to problems with germination of seeds in in vivo conditions as well as the high variability of generatively propagated plants, tissue multiplication was opted for. Different explants (shoot tips, lateral green buds, root segments) and immature seeds were used in order to ensure the most convenient starting material to obtain healthy in vitro cultures. Immature seeds, in different stages of ripening, were germinated on MS medium supplied with 0.5 mg/l of gibberellic acid (GA₃). It was observed that the germination rate did not depend on the stage of ripeness of the seeds. Average germination was 21%. Plants were taken to the MS medium supplied with 1 mg/l of indoleacetic acid (IAA) and 0.1 mg/l benzyladenin (BA) to induce shoot tips. On average, the proliferation rate was estimated to be 3 offshoots per 21 days. Rooting of multiplied shoots on MS medium with 2 mg/l of naphtalenacetic acid (NAA) was 52%. Attempts in which other plant explants were used were unsuccessful due to the high number of infections. The acclimatization of the plants comprised an inoculation with AM fungi. The inoculation was successful, but the root infection developed only locally. There was no effect of inoculation on the plant growth and survival.