MICROPROPAGATION AS A KEY TOOL TO PRESERVE NATIVE SPECIES: DISINFECTION AND PROPAGATION PROTOCOL FOR Minthostachys verticillata

RIVAROLA BIANCONI S; IBAÑEZ S; VEZZA M; BARBERON I; AGOSTINI E; AL WEVAR OLLER

Congreso; III COBICET (Congresso Brasileiro Interdisciplinar em Ciência e Tecnologia); 2022

Abstract: Actually, there is a great demand for specific vegetable products, which is explained inpart by changes in consumption habits, with a trend towards healthier foods of natural origin, andthe rise of ethnic foods that has generated great interest in aromatic and native plants. However,excessive harvesting of some species could lead to their subsequent extinction, somicropropagation has emerged as an important tool to propagate and preserve the germplasm ofdifferent plant species.Minthostachys verticillata, commonly known as “peperina”, grows in the northwestern and centralregions of Argentina. It is considered the most economically important species of its genus and itis extensively collected to obtain essential oils, which are studied for their potential medicinaleffects. Thus, this study aimed at developing a disinfection and micropropagation protocol for M.verticillata. In this context, the first step, which consisted in selection of mother plants,disinfection, selection of explants and in vitro establishment in culture medium under asepticconditions was carried out. For that, seeds, stems or leaves were introduced into the laminar flowcabinet and different disinfectant agents, surfactants and treatment times were assayed. Allsurfaced disinfected stems and leaves, presented bacterial or fungal contamination. On the otherhand, seeds disinfection with 70% (v/v) ethanol, 25% (w/v) sodium hypochlorite and five whasheswith sterile distilled water, yielded the lowest contamination (29%) and best germination index(16%) on agar-water plates. The shortest time of germination was 16 days, while the longest timewas 30 days. Germinated seeds were transfered to culture vessel containing a multiplication androoting medium which are the second and third steps of micropropagation methods. The mediumwas Murashige-Skoog (MS) with 1,5 mg/L of indol-acetic acid (AIA). The cultures wereincubated in a growing chamber at 25 + 2°C with a 12-h light/12-h dark photoperiod. Finally,acclimatation stage will be carried out, that is the final step that would allow the quick productionof peperina using in vitro culture techniques while helping with the conservation of this nativespecies.Keywords: micropropagation, peperina, biodiversity, extintion, vitroplantsAcknowledgments: PICT 1885/20- PIP CONICET (2021-2024)