In vitro propagation of Gentiana lutea L.

The plant species Gentiana lutea L. is protected by the "Law for Environmental Protection" in most European countries and is included in the Red Book of Bulgaria. It is wide used in both traditional and modern medicine for drug production. The purpose of this investigation was to elaborate an efficient method for in vitro propagation of G. lutea as well as to preserve and to enlarge the area of distribution of that threatened plant species which is both medically and economically valuable. Over ten nutrient media were tested, the most appropriate among them for seed germination and plant regeneration being identified. The nutrient medium supplemented with 50 mg l(1) GA(3) proved to yield optimal results, namely 42.50% germination for the unscarified seeds and 60% for the scarified ones. Best results for propagation were recorded on MP1 nutrient medium supplemented with 2 mg l(-1) zeatin and 0.2 mg l(-1) IAA. About 91 % of the shoots were rooted on MS nutrient medium supplemented with 3 mg PNAA.