Micropropagation of Myrtle (Myrtus communis): a method for genetic conservation

Myrtus communis L., an evergreen shrub valued for its medicinal, ornamental, and ecological uses, faces challenges in propagation due to inconsistent growth from traditional methods. This study aimed to optimize in vitro micropropagation techniques for M. communis to ensure the conservation and mass production of healthy, uniform, and disease-free plants. Seeds were collected, sterilized, and germinated on a half-strength MS medium. Subsequently, shoot tips were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0, 1, and 2 mg/L BAP (benzylaminopurine). After 28 days, the effects of varying BAP concentrations on shoot proliferation, shoot length, and leaf number were assessed using a completely randomized design with four replications. The results indicated a significant increase in shoot proliferation and leaf number with higher BAP concentrations. The control group (0 mg/L BAP) had the lowest proliferation rate, with an average of 1.25 shoots, while 2 mg/L BAP resulted in the highest proliferation, with 6 shoots per explant. Similarly, shoot length reached its maximum of 5 cm at 2 mg/L BAP, with no significant difference between the control and 1 mg/L treatments. The findings suggest that BAP is crucial in enhancing M. communis micropropagation, providing an effective approach to this valuable species' conservation and sustainable production.

Micropropagation of Myrtle (Myrtus communis): a method for genetic conservation Keywords:

Genetic erosion , Plant conservation , Tissue culture , In vitro