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Micropropagation of Thapsia garganica—a medicinal plant

  • Cell Biology and Morphogenesis
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Abstract

The micropropagation of T. garganica, a medicinally important plant, was investigated as an option for conservation purposes as wild populations are becoming sparse. A Murashige and Skoog agar medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l−1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 1.5 mg l−1 benzyl-6-adenine significantly improved the production of multiple shoots directly from petiole and leaflet explants compared to other plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations. Medium free of PGRs promoted rooting at a low incidence. Acclimatisation was low—52% plantlet survival—as micropropagated plantlets were highly susceptible to fungal rot once removed from culture. Application of antifungal agents to in vitro-derived plantlets as pre- and post-acclimatisation treatments during transplanting significantly reduced ex vitro mortality.

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Fig. 1A–I.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA :

Analysis of variance

BA :

Benzyl-6-adenine

IBA :

Indole-3-butyric acid

NAA :

α-Naphthaleneacetic acid

PGR :

Plant growth regulator

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Acknowledgements

The fruits of T. garganica were kindly collected and donated by Prof. N. Villalobos, University of Salamanca (Spain). The Natal University Research Fund and the National Research Foundation (South Africa) are thanked for financial support. Mrs. L. van Staden is thanked for assisting with the acclimatisation of the plantlets.

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Author notes

  1. A. K. Jäger

    Present address: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Royal Danish School of Pharmacy, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen O, Denmark

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Botany and Zoology, University of Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, 3209, Scottsville, South Africa

    N. P. Makunga, A. K. Jäger & J. van Staden

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  1. N. P. Makunga
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  2. A. K. Jäger
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  3. J. van Staden
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Correspondence to J. van Staden.

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Communicated by P. Debergh

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Makunga, N.P., Jäger, A.K. & van Staden, J. Micropropagation of Thapsia garganica—a medicinal plant. Plant Cell Rep 21, 967–973 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-003-0623-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-003-0623-8

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