Propagation in Vitro and Experimental Field Cultivation ex Situ of Pulsatilla Turczaninovii Kryl. et Serg. (Ranunculaceae)

Abstract

Pulsatilla turczaninovii is an important medicinal plant and a material also appreciated by gardeners for its high ornamental value. In this study we assessed the efficiency of reproduction under in vitro conditions of this important representative of the world flora. First, the germination percentage and the following plant development during three growing seasons were assessed, then we tested the possibilities of multiplication by in vitro culture methods. Our study provided new insight on biochemical background of generating adventitious roots in Pulsatilla considered difficult-to-rooting. The germination percentage of studied population reached about 55%. The highest multiplication coefficient of micro-rosettes in tissue culture, amounting to 5.17, was achieved using modified MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg L-1 2iP and 1 mg L-1 IAA. We proved that in comparison with standard auxin-supplemented rooting medium, the treatment with addition of 1.0 mg L-1 ethylene precursor ACC elevated adventitious rooting by about 20%. The biochemical analyses revealed that total content of soluble sugars was the most impactful biomarker of adventitious rhizogenesis in studied species. Concentration of sugars was positively correlated with rooting efficiency, while the level of phenolic compounds was positively correlated with the root length and their number regenerated per single rosette.