In vitro Micropropagation of Immortelle Grass (Helichrysum italicum (ROTH) G. DON)

Abstract

Immortelle grass (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don), which spreads in the Southern Marmara and Aegean regions, can be grown in arid and semi-arid regions. In addition, due to its rich essential oil and secondary metabolite content, it has an important place in modern medicine and cosmetics, including traditional treatment methods. Although the propagation of plants by shoot regeneration in vitro has been achieved in many plant species, studies on tissue culture in immortelle grass are limited. This study aims to optimize the tissue culture study in immortelle grass and provide a basis for the next in vitro, molecular, and secondary metabolite studies. In addition, it promotes the plant by optimizing the healthy and disease-free seedling production method for cultural agriculture in the region. Three different (15%, 25%, and 35%) NaOCl concentrations were tested for 10 and 20 minutes during the sterilization phase of the explants. The most successful result was obtained in the medium containing 35% NaOCl for 10 minutes. Sterilized explants were transferred to MS and Gamborg B5 nutrient media containing BAP, GA, and NAA plant growth regulators for shoot regeneration. The best regeneration in explants was obtained in MS medium containing 0.5 mg L-1 BAP, 1 mg L-1 GA, and 0.2 mg L-1 NAA. No growth was observed in trials containing Gamborg B5, and vitrification and darkening occurred in the explants. After four weeks, the shoots reaching a length of 3 cm were taken into MS and ½MS medium containing 0 MS, 0.5 mg L-1 IBA, 1 mg L-1 IBA, 1.5 mg L-1, and 2 mg L-1 IBA as a rooting medium. 100% rooting was observed in all prepared media within four weeks. As a result of micropropagation studies, the rooted plants were transferred to the acclimatization stage within three months and then moved to the pots in the greenhouse and to the field one month later.