Features of clonal micropropagation of Silene cretacea (Caryophyllaceae) in in vitro culture

Abstract

The features of the formation of microshoots in in vitro culture of Silene cretacea—endangered species with narrow ecological amplitude, which is a promising source of medicinal raw materials—were studied. It was demonstrated that, at the micropropagation step, basic Woody Plant Medium containing vitamins according to Murashige and Skoog and supplemented with 0.2 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine, 1.0 mg/L kinetin, 1.0 mg/L gibberellic acid, and 0.5 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid is the most effective. The combination and concentration of these growth regulators, selected using mathematical combinatorial analysis, activated axillary buds and provided a high multiplication factor (9.3 ± 1.3 microshoots per explant). Morpho-histological analysis revealed the main stages of the formation of microshoots and proved the absence of callus formation during the whole time of the cultivation of explants. The features of the dynamics of the culture during the year of continuous cultivation are presented.