IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF THE BALKAN ENDEMIC SPECIES VERBASCUM ERIOPHORUM GODR.

M. A. Rogova, V. M. Kapchina-Toteva, H. P. Yordanova

Abstract: In vitro shoot culture of the Balkan endemic species Verbascum eriophorum Godr. was induced by successful sterilization of seeds with 70% ethanol. Regenerated plants on hormone free MS medium had low growth index, shortened internodes and
well developed root system. Then the effect of different concentrations of cytokinin BA (6-benzylaminopurine) and auxin IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) on the in vitro multiplication of V. eriophorum was examined. All tested concentrations of IBA (0.1; 0.5; 1.0 mg/L) stimulated root formation but suppressed shoot development and leaf formation. More effective in promoting shoot development was MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BA and approximately 98% of explants showed shoot proliferation and produced 14.22±0.2 shoots per explant. Subsequently shoots were transferred on hormone free basal MS medium for root
development and accumulation of leaf biomass. A collection from in vitro tissue cultures, which is an approach for preservation of V. eriophorum has been established.

Keywords: auxin; cytokinin; in vitro multiplication; mullein; shoot culture

Date published: 2017-08-28