MICROPROPAGATION OF ADULT LAVANDULA-DENTATA PLANTS

A protocol for in vitro propagation of adult Lavandula dentata plants has been achieved. Cultures were established by placing nodal segments on Murashige and Skoog medium containing BA, KIN, and NAA. Highest sh oot multiplication rates were obtained when explants grown in the pres ence of 5.0 mu M BA or 20 mu M KIN were transferred to medium with 8.8 mu M BA and 15% coconut milk. Multiplication efficiency through subcu ltures was significantly affected by the cytokinin concentration in th e initial culture medium. Subculture reduced drastically the final num ber of shoots produced on nodal segments isolated from shoots grown in the presence of 2.0 mu M BA or 40.0 mu M KIN. Shoots were easily root ed on Murashige and Skoog hormone-free medium with macronutrients at h alf-strength. Plants were successfully transplanted into soil.