In vitro propagation of the herbal spice Eryngium foetidum L. on sucrose-added and sucrose-free medium without growth regulators and CO 2 enrichment

Abstract

Plantlet regeneration of Eryngium foetidum L. was established using leaf, stem-disc, and root explants derived from in vitro-grown shoots on sucrose-free medium without growth regulators and CO 2 enrichment. Effectiveness of Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium with or without sucrose, and medium containing only MS macro- and micronutrients were compared. Numbers of shoots and roots developed on MS basal medium with or without sucrose, and medium containing only MS macro- and micronutrients did not show significant differences. Stem-disc explants produced four shoots per explant while leaf and root explants formed 1.5 and 2.8 shoots, respectively. On MS basal medium without sucrose and on medium containing only MS macro- and micronutrients, the explants exhibited delayed shoot induction, and slow shoot growth compared to MS basal medium with sucrose. Number of leaves developed on regenerated shoots was almost equal on all types of media. Regenerated shoots induced roots on all types of media. No contamination was observed on MS basal medium without sucrose and on medium containing only MS macro- and micronutrients. Plantlets derived from MS basal medium without sucrose and on medium containing only MS macro- and micronutrients exhibited 100% survival and rapid acclimatization, and better growth in field conditions compared to that on MS basal medium with sucrose.