Abstract
Heliotropium kotschyi (Ramram), is a very important plant in relation to environment protection and for its medicinal value in Bahrain. It has been detected as one of the endangered plants in Bahrain. Ex situ conservation of this plant applying tissue culture method was used in the present study. In vitro plant regeneration has been established via shoot organogenesis using nodal meristems. The effect of various plant growth regulators was evaluated to regenerate the whole plants by in vitro micropropagation in modified MS media supplemented with different plant growth regulators (PGRs). In vitro regeneration of plants was involved in three steps by shoot initiation, multiplication and rooting of microshoots. Initially 100% explants of Heliotropium kotschyi responded to initiate shoot in MS medium supplemented with 8.88 μM BAP with 5.71 μM IAA after 4 weeks of culture. Multiplication of shoots and ultimate plant regeneration capacity of Heliotropium kotschyi were compared and the highest performance of 578 shoots/explant was observed in presence of 8.88 μM BAP and 5.71 μM IAA after second transfer. Rooted plantlets were transferred to soil pots and 60% plants were survived after one and a half months. The highly efficient plant regeneration protocol of the desert plant is of great value in rapid plant propagation program for the purpose of conservation of biodiversity.
Highlights
The kingdom of Bahrain is an aggregate of a group of scattered islands forming an archipelago lying almost in the middle of the Arabian Gulf
Differential response in shoot initiation frequency was observed in presence of different combinations and concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) those were statistically analyzed
The highest shoot initiation frequency of Heliotropium kotschyi was 10.6 on MS medium supplemented with 8.88 μM BAP with 5.71 μM IAA after 4 weeks of culture (Figure 4)
Summary
The plants have long history of evolution and adaptation in dry and hot deserts. They are important sources of good gene pool in food chain, extreme environmental adaptability and herbal medicine. In Bahrain, 81 indigenous plant species are reported to be used in traditional herbal medicine [2]. The importance of medicinal plants both in drug research and biodiversity conservation is well recognized. Global concern about the loss of valuable genetic resources has stimulated many new programs for the conservation and management of biodiversity [5]. Al-Areen Wildlife Reserve in Bahrain Island has established in 1976 to promote scientific research, ecotourism, public awareness and conservation of biodiversity [7]
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