Micropropagation of Lavandula latifolia through nodal bud culture of mature plants

Abstract

Cultures of Lavandula latifolia Medicus were established from axillary buds of mature field-grown plants. Explants were initially cultured on media with two different macronutrient combinations and benzyladenine or kinetin added either individually or with naphthaleneacetic acid. Subsequently, explants were subcultured in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 20% coconut milk, 0.57 μM indoleacetic acid and 8.88 μM benzyladenine. Shoot proliferation from axillary buds was not affected by seasonal fluctuations in the stock plants but depended on the macronutrient composition and on the type and concentration of cytokinin tested. Best results were obtained in explants initially cultured in media with Murashige and Skoog constituents and supplemented with 5 μM benzyladenine. In vitro-grown shoots were used to induce multiple shooting by transferring them to subculture medium. Shoots were rooted on Murashige and Skoog medium with macronutrients at half-strength. Plantlets were transferred to soil and grown to maturity.