title: Micropropagation of Thapsia garganica--a medicinal plant.
abstract: The micropropagation of T. garganica, a medicinally important plant, was investigated as an option for conservation purposes as wild populations are becoming sparse. A Murashige and Skoog agar medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l(-1) alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid and 1.5 mg l(-1) benzyl-6-adenine significantly improved the production of multiple shoots directly from petiole and leaflet explants compared to other plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations. Medium free of PGRs promoted rooting at a low incidence. Acclimatisation was low--52% plantlet survival--as micropropagated plantlets were highly susceptible to fungal rot once removed from culture. Application of antifungal agents to in vitro-derived plantlets as pre- and post-acclimatisation treatments during transplanting significantly reduced ex vitro mortality.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Botany and Zoology, University of Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, 3209 Scottsville, South Africa.
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Makunga
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Staden
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization; D019661:Apiaceae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology; D046508:Culture Techniques; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000254:growth & development; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000254:growth & development*; D012038:Regeneration; D012098:Reproduction