MORPHOANATOMICAL STUDY OF IN VITRO PROPAGATED AND EX VITRO ADAPTED ACHILLEA THRACICA VELEN. PLANTS

M. Stefanova, M. Rogova, D. Koleva, Ts. Ganeva, V. K.-Toteva

Abstract: Achillea thracica Velen. plants from their natural habitat, in vitro propagated plants and ex vitro established plants were studied. Morphological observation of the three examined variants showed that the organogenesis of in vitro cultured and ex vitro adapted plants corresponded with in vivo plants. Comparative histological analysis showed that the leaves in all variants were equifacial, however in in vitro leaves the shape and arrangement of the mesophyll cells were different compared with wild plants. The ex vitro plants formed leaves with the best organization of the photosynthetic parenchyma. Considering the successful organogenesis, normal histogenesis, lack of hyperhydricity and high survival rate both in vitro and ex vitro, we can conclude that for A. thracica a micropropagation is a suitable method for obtaining sufficient amount of plant material for ex situ conservation of this endangered endemic species.

Keywords: Achillea; leaf structure; micropropagation

Date published: 2017-09-19