Abstract
Conservation and sustainable exploitation of threatened endemic plants with medicinal and/or horticultural/ornamental value can be achieved through the development of effective propagation protocols. After unveiling the bioclimatic preferences of Carlina diae (Asteraceae) with geographic information systems (GIS), four propagation trials were conducted using seeds of this endangered local Cretan endemic for in vivo and in vitro germination, as well as seasonal vegetative propagation trials (softwood cuttings) and micropropagation (nodal explants). Seed germination was accomplished at a level of 77–90% in vivo (30 days) and 96% in vitro (10 days) using an MS medium with 2.9 μM gibberellic acid (GA3). The optimum treatments for cuttings’ rooting were 1000 and 2000 ppm indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (11–16 roots, 2–3 cm long, 100% rooting) within 40 days in mist. In vitro shoot propagation exhibited a 2.8 proliferation rate after six successive subcultures on an MS medium with 2.9 μM GA3. Both ex vitro rooting and acclimatization were successful in 40 days, with 96% microshoot rooting and an equal survival rate. The GIS-facilitated effective species-specific propagation protocols developed in this study can consolidate the perspective of successful re-introduction of ex situ-raised material of C. diae into wild habitats and may serve its sustainable exploitation for high-added value ornamental products.
Highlights
IntroductionThe genus Carlina L. (Asteraceae) usually comprises thistle-like plants (annuals, biennials or perennials), often with prickly foliage and daisy-like flowers (compound inflorescences of ligulate and tubular florets) with spiny phyllaries (often leaf-like) that originally are wild growing in Europe, the Mediterranean region and Asia [1,2].The ornamental value of C. vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris (synonym C. sylvestris Bubani) and C. lanataL. has been reported in Europe as early as the 1620s [3], and C. acualis L. subsp. acaulis (synonymC. alpina Jacq.) was introduced in 1759 as an ornamental of magnificent appearance in gardens of Scotland [4]
The genus Carlina L. (Asteraceae) usually comprises thistle-like plants, often with prickly foliage and daisy-like flowers with spiny phyllaries that originally are wild growing in Europe, the Mediterranean region and Asia [1,2].The ornamental value of C. vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris and C. lanataL. has been reported in Europe as early as the 1620s [3], and C. acualis L. subsp. acaulis was introduced in 1759 as an ornamental of magnificent appearance in gardens of Scotland [4]
Given the high seed germination success achieved and the effective macro- and micropropagation protocols currently developed, the geographic information systems (GIS)-facilitated ex situ conservation efforts described in this study for C. diae can provide a consolidated reproduction system for this rare and endangered local endemic species of Crete (Greece)
Summary
The genus Carlina L. (Asteraceae) usually comprises thistle-like plants (annuals, biennials or perennials), often with prickly foliage and daisy-like flowers (compound inflorescences of ligulate and tubular florets) with spiny phyllaries (often leaf-like) that originally are wild growing in Europe, the Mediterranean region and Asia [1,2].The ornamental value of C. vulgaris L. subsp. vulgaris (synonym C. sylvestris Bubani) and C. lanataL. has been reported in Europe as early as the 1620s [3], and C. acualis L. subsp. acaulis (synonymC. alpina Jacq.) was introduced in 1759 as an ornamental of magnificent appearance in gardens of Scotland [4]. The ornamental value of C. vulgaris L. subsp. Vulgaris (synonym C. sylvestris Bubani) and C. lanata. L. has been reported in Europe as early as the 1620s [3], and C. acualis L. subsp. Plant trade over the internet [5] of some Carlina species is extant, mainly as seeds for home gardening or landscaping. The root of C. acualis (and/or C. acanthifolia All.), the so-called Carlinae radix, has been recognized since ancient and medieval times and is to be found in renaissance botanical books, several pharmacopoeas and contemporary folk medicinal traditions around Europe [9]. Carlinae radix has mainly been used as a diuretic, diaphoretic, stomachic and externally for the treatment of skin inflammations, as well as against toothache, for treating cholecystopathy and gastrointestinal disturbances, while the root’s essential oil is proved to have antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and antioxidant activities [9,10]
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