Development of winter savory explants at the initial stages of in vitro micropropagation

Satureja montana L. is a valuable spicy-aromatic and medicinal plant widely used in cooking, cosmetics, and medicine due to its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties. The need for rapid multiplication of valuable samples or cultivars frequently arises during breeding or introduction. In this case, it is advisable to use the biotechnological methods of propagation in vitro . The aim of the work was to study the influence of the culture medium hormonal composition on the development of S. montana explants at the initial stages of clonal micropropagation. The sterilization regime of plant material was optimized: sequential treatment with 70% ethanol (40 sec.) and 50% “Bradofen” solution (6-9 min.), which ensured production of 100% aseptic viable explants. Stem segments with a node were used as explants. They were cultivated on modifications of Murashige and Skoog culture medium (MS) with the addition of various growth regulators. When the explants were introduced in vitro, the largest number of shoots (2.9 pieces/explant) was observed on media with 0.5 mg/l of benzylaminopurine or thidiazuron, however, up to 23.7-58.7% of them were hydrated. Addition of kinetin to MS medium was more effective; since, along with a multiple shoot formation, it provides the maximum length of shoots (32.6-54.0 mm). At the stage of micropropagation itself, when comparing different cytokinins, the advantage of kinetin was also established. To obtain normally developed shoots and maximum multiplication index (6.4), it is advisable to cultivate explants on MS medium with addition of 0.5 mg/l of kinetin and 0.5 mg/l gibberellic acid.

Satureja montana L, clonal micropropagation, in vitro, explant, culture medium

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