Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, cilt.70, sa.8, ss.2439-2449, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
The preservation of genetic resources and the cultivation of rare and valuable plant species with pharmaceutical properties are crucial for crop evolution and improving human health. Eminium rauwolffii (Blume) Schott var. rauwolffii, an endemic ornamental plant with significant medicinal value, is threatened due to over-harvesting, habitat loss, and slow seed germination. Therefore, micropropagation is considered an effective approach for the preservation and sustainable utilization of E. rauwolffii var. rauwolffii. In this study, a micropropagation protocol for E. rauwolffii var. rauwolffii was optimized using various explants and media types. Only four out of 20 combinations of nutrient media, plant growth regulators, and active carbon resulted in successful organogenesis via endosperm and meristem. The best results were obtained when meristem explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for shoot induction. The highest shoot proliferation rate was observed on MS medium supplemented with 4 mg/L BAP and 1 mg/L NAA. Rooting was successfully induced by transferring the microshoots to half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L NAA. The potential risk of extinction of E. rauwolffii var. rauwolffii highlights the importance of conserving and cultivating this plant species for its significant medicinal value.