IN-VITRO MULTIPLICATION OF VELLA-LUCENTINA CRESPO,M.B. (BRASSICACEAE), A THREATENED SPANISH ENDEMIC SPECIES

Vella lucentina M. B. Crespo is a threatened Spanish species that is e ndemic to a small area in eastern Alicante Province (SE Spain). Microp ropagation techniques were applied for ex situ conservation of this pl ant. Aseptic epicotyls bearing the apical bud were gown in Murashige a nd Skoog medium supplemented with 6-furfurylaminopurine (Kin), N-6-ben zyladenine (BA) or 6-(gamma,gamma>,-dimethilalylamino) purine (2iP). H igh multiplication rates were obtained with 0.5, 1, or 2 mg . liter(-1 ) BA, or 1 or 2 mg . liter(-1) 2iP. Indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3- butyric acid were utilized for rooting in half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium. Regenerated plants were transferred to a potting mix and gradually acclimated to field conditions. No morphological difference s were observed among in vitro and in vivo plants.