Abstract

Cistus ladanifer L. exudes a phenolic and terpenoid resin with interesting bioactive and aromatic properties. Despite its high abundance in the wild, this plant can be cultivated to advantage on oligotrophic and trace-elements contaminated soils. Plant tissue culture may be used to produce specific metabolites or for clonal propagation of specific genotypes for plantation. From a biotechnological perspective this is the second study that has attempted in vitro propagation of C. ladanifer from adult plant material. Its goal was to evaluate the potential of leaf and internodal stem explants from C. ladanifer for in vitro tissue culture. Three plant growth regulators were tested: 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), and 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). From both explants, shoots were regenerated under the influence of BAP (38%) and two types of compact calli were induced: dark green calli were induced under the influence of BAP (above 70%) and light green calli were induced under the influence of 2,4-D with or without BAP (100%). Light green calli grew between 558 and 708% during subsequent subcultures and showed rhizogenic capacity when the amounts of BAP were lower than of 2.4-D, but they showed low potential for shoot organogenesis. Dark green calli were associated with shoot organogenesis. The suitability of the two calli lines to produce metabolites and their transposition to liquid cultures is worth further study in comparison to organ in vitro cultures.

Keywords: Callogenesis; Callus Histology; Cistaceae; In Vitro propagation; Organogenesis; Rockrose