Efficient in vitro Microprapagation for the Conservation of Endemic and Endangered aucher-eloy grape hyacinth [Muscari Aucheri (boiss.) Baker]

Abstract

Muscari aucheri (Boiss.) Baker family Liliaceae is endemic to Turkey and is threatened by complete extinction. To conserve the plant, in accordance with international agreements for the protection of endangered geophytes, collection of M. aucheri bulbs from the natural habitats is forbidden in Turkey. Due to poor diversity the natural propagation rate of the plant is relatively slow and it takes 4-5 years to develop a bulb of commercial size; which restricts large-scale cultivation of the plant. Development of conservation methods like in vitro propagation techniques, for conservation have low impact on wild populations as they use a minimum of plant material. The present study
aimed to establish a strategy for efficient in vitro bulblet regeneration of this important geophyte using 4 scale bulb explants as an aid to breeding and multiplication of the plants. These explants were cultured on MS medium containing 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/l BAP, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/l GA4 and 0.1, 0.2 mg/l IAA. The maximum number of bulblets per explant was induced on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP, 0.2 mg/l IAA. The bulblets regenerated on any variant of BAP-IAA and GA4-IAA were successfuly rooted on MS medium. About 17% of the rooted bulblets could be acclimatised. All acclimatized plants survived and showed flourishing growth under field conditions. Thus this protocol could be used in effective can multiplication and conservation of the plant under in vitro conditions.