MICROPROPAGATION OF LIMONIUM-CAVANILLESII ERBEN, A THREATENED STATICE, FROM INFLORESCENCE STEMS

Micropropagation of Limonium cavanillesii Erben, a threatened and ende mic statice species from Valencia Community (Eastern Spain), was succe ssfully achieved using inflorescence stem pieces as initial explants. Segments 20 mm long from basal parts of immature inflorescences and wi th axillary buds were cut, sterilised and established in vitro. Shoots obtained from indifferentiated buds were sectioned and then transferr ed to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 2 mg l(-1) kinetin to provi de a plant stock. Shoot multiplication was achieved on MS medium with different cytokinins. The best results for shoot formation were obtain ed with 2-5 mg l-(1)kinetin, 5 mg l(-1) 6-gamma-gamma-dimethylallylami nopurine or 0.1 mg l(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine, without significant diff erences between them. High shoot rooting (80-85%) was obtained within four weeks with indolebutyric acid or indoleacetic acid (0.1 or 0.5 mg l(-1)), and also on medium without plant growth regulators. Plant sur vival to hardened greenhouse conditions was 90% four weeks after plant let removal from in vitro conditions. This protocol for micropropagati on of Limonium cavanillesii is very useful for conservation purposes o f endangered statice species, because by using inflorescence stem as i nitial material it is easier to establish aseptic cultures while prese rving the mother plant.