<i>In Vitro</i> Introduction of <i>Lespedeza davurica</i> (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Abstract—Rare species Lespedeza davurica (Laxm.) Schindl. (Fabaceae), growing in the Russian Federation, was for the first time introduced into in vitro culture. Efficient sterilization protocol was selected: seeds were soaked in sulfuric acid for 25 min, then washed in distilled water 5 times for 30 s, then soaked in 1% silver nitrate solution for 25 min, then in 1% sodium chloride solution for 15 min, and washed in distilled water 3 times for 30 s. The overall seed germination was sufficiently high – 78.8%. It was observed, that cotyledon leaves in most plants appeared by the end of the first week of cultivation, true leaves – by the end of the second week, additional shoots began to form within the first month of cultivation. The resulting culture was propagated under in vitro conditions using additional shoots. The effect of thidiazuron at concentrations of 0.5 and 0.1 mL/L was traced. It was shown that Murashige and Skoog medium without growth regulators are suitable for cultivation and micropropagation of the species under study, and when the medium is supplemented with thidiazuron it can be used to obtain more plant material. The results of our study are of interest for the fundamental and applied aspects of the study of L. davurica.