African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12496

Full Length Research Paper

Germination and in vitro multiplication of Helianthemum kahiricum, a threatened plant in Tunisia arid areas

HAMZA Amina*
  • HAMZA Amina*
  • Range Ecology Laboratory, Arid Lands Institute of Medenine, 4119 Medenine, Tunisia.
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NEFFATI Mohamed
  • NEFFATI Mohamed
  • Range Ecology Laboratory, Arid Lands Institute of Medenine, 4119 Medenine, Tunisia.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 09 February 2014
  •  Accepted: 09 February 2015
  •  Published: 25 March 2015

Abstract

Seeds of Helianthemum kahiricum have an excellent germination rate extending to about 90% within short time not more than four days after scarification (mechanical treatment) and a good protocol of disinfection. A high frequency of sprouting and shoot differentiation was observed in the primary cultures of nodal explants of H. kahiricum on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) free growth regulators or with less concentration of kinetin (0.5 mg L-1 or 1.0 mg L-1 kin). In vitro proliferated shoot were multiplied rapidly by culture of shoot tips on MS with kinetin (0.5 mg L-1) which produced the greatest multiple shoot formation. The kinetin had a positive effect on the multiplication and growth, but a concentration that exceeded 2.0 mg.L-1 decreased the growth. A high frequency of rooting with development of healthy roots was observed from shoots cultured on MS/8 medium hormone-free.
 
Key wordsHelianthemum kahiricum, in vitro germination, multiplication, axillary buds.
 

Abbreviation

Zea, Zeatin (cytokinine); IAA, indole-3-acetic acid (auxin); IBA, indole-3-butyric acid (auxin); Kin, kinetin (cytokinine); MS, Murashige and Skoog medium; NAA, 2-naphthalene acetic acid (auxin); 2iP, 2 isopentenyladenine (cytokinine).