Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the effects of light spectra, additional UV-A, and different growth regulators on the in vitro germination of Senecio cineraria DC. Seeds were surface-sterilized and inoculated in MS medium to evaluate the following light spectra: white, white plus UV-A, blue, green, red or darkness. The maximum germinability was obtained using MS0 medium under white light (30%) and MS + 0.3 mg L-1 GA3 in the absence of light (30.5%). S. cineraria seeds were indifferent to light. Blue and green lights inhibited germination. Different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) (0.1; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8; 1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1) and indole-3-acetic acid IAA (0.1; 0.3 and 1.0 mg L-1) were evaluated under white light and darkness. No concentration of GA3 enhanced seed germination percentage under white light. However, when the seeds were maintained in darkness, GA3 improved germination responses in all tested concentrations, except at 1.0 mg L-1. Under white light, these concentrations also increased the germination time and reduced germination rate. Germination rate, under light or darkness, was lower using IAA compared with GA3.
Highlights
Senecio cineraria DC. (Asteraceae) is a Mediterranean plant widely distributed in cold areas and cultured for ornamental and medicinal purposes (Comes & Abbott, 2001; Tundis et al, 2005)
At the end of five weeks, the application of ultraviolet A (UV-A) was not found to affect the germination percentage of seeds when compared with white light in either medium
Under white light plus UV-A, germination started during the first week using MS0 and during the second week using MS + GA3 0.3 mg L-1, compared with white light treatment alone, indicating that additional UV-A induced germination more rapidly compared with other treatments
Summary
Senecio cineraria DC. (syn.: Cineraria maritima L.) (Asteraceae) is a Mediterranean plant widely distributed in cold areas and cultured for ornamental and medicinal purposes (Comes & Abbott, 2001; Tundis et al, 2005). Plant tissue culture is a valuable biotechnological resource that optimizes the production of standardized plant species in a short time It guarantees mass production of seedlings and the quality of raw plant material for phytotherapeutic production and ornamental markets. Large-scale production using micropropagation to obtain raw plant material to supply herbalists has recently been studied (Victório et al, 2008; 2010). With this same aim, the present study has established tissue cultures of S. cineraria to test the in vitro germination of this species under the effects of different light spectra, UV-A radiation, and hormonal growth factors
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