Micropropagation of Achillea millefolium L. on half-strength ms medium and direct rooting and acclimatization of microshoots in hydroponic culture

Marija Markovic,Dragana Skocajic,Dragica Obratov-Petkovic,Mihailo Grbic,Milica Borovica,Danijela Djunisijevic-Bojovic,Matilda Djukic

doi:10.2298/gsf1511099m

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of micropropagation of the medicinal plant A. millefolium on half-strength MS medium and ex vitro rooting and acclimatization of the obtained microshoots in hydroculture in order to establish an efficient production method. Two explant types were used: basal and terminal cuttings, and better results were achieved when terminal cuttings were used. The development of shoots in the multiplication phase was successful with a regeneration percentage of 100%. Ex vitro rooting in a modified Hoagland nutrient solution was successful (83%), but the percentage of in vitro rooting on half-strength MS medium without hormones was higher (95%). However, bearing in mind that mass production of A. millefolium is more efficient when the phase of in vitro rooting is excluded, this method could be recommended for commercial propagation of this medicinal plant. It is necessary to conduct additional research in order to optimize the composition, EC and pH value of the hydroponic nutrient solution.

Highlights

The species Achillea millefolium L. belongs to the Eurasian floristic region, and it is distributed in Europe, Siberia, in the western Himalayas, in the Caucasus Mountains, as well as in nothern Iran
The regeneration rate of terminal cuttings was high on all media (93,3 100%), whereas the regeneration of basal cuttings was noticeably lower on all media except in the control treatment (Table 2)
The mean number of buds which developed from basal cuttings was almost halved compared to the terminal cuttings, and the maximum value was observed in the control treatment (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

The species Achillea millefolium L. belongs to the Eurasian floristic region, and it is distributed in Europe, Siberia, in the western Himalayas, in the Caucasus Mountains, as well as in nothern Iran. It has been introduced to North America, New Zealand and South Australia (Gajić, 1975). It is a herbaceous perennial species, producing stems reaching up to 80 cm in height, with a spreading rhizomatous growth form. The plant is in flower from June to August, and the inflorescence is produced in a flat-topped cluster. The inflorescence contains ray and disk flowers. 5 ray flowers are white, and disk flowers are off-white (Гајић, 1986).

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