Articles
Propagation strategies of endemic and native plant species of Greece
Article number
1439_29
Pages
215 – 226
Language
English
Abstract
In search of new flower crops sourced from the endemic and native biodiversity of Greece, a consolidated strategy has been developed by the Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources (IPBGR) of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization – Demeter (ELGO-Dimitra). Local endemic rare-threatened plants with floricultural and/or aromatic-medicinal value originating from the unique Greek biodiversity have become through applied research protocols potentially new flower crops able to be commercialized in the agro-alimentary and ornamental sectors.
Bringing plant material from the wild to the laboratory and nursery facilities with authorization for propagation and ex situ conservation is a tedious procedure, especially for rare species with limited and range-restricted populations in nature and little-known biological cycle.
The identity of valuable but limited wild germplasm (e.g. of Greek tulips, Campanula spp., Helichrysum spp., Lamiaceae members, etc.) is consolidated with taxonomic and DNA barcoding system, thus obtaining unique accession numbers and/or genetic documentation.
Propagation-wise, pretreatment methods are necessary for the plant material raised from stock mother plants using cuttings involving various plant growth regulators in combination with innovative nutrient products.
Conservation-wise, acclimatization of the rooted microplants and/or massive production of the valuable germplasm is employed following various procedures and treatments.
The propagated Greek endemic and native germplasm constitutes an established collection of great value which is maintained ex situ in man-made environments at the premises of IPBGR. The strategy presented herein has been successfully applied through targeted research projects for >300 Greek endemic and >1500 native plant species of Greece during the last two decades, resulting in extensive living collections maintained as bulbs, corms, living plants in pots, stored seeds and microplants in vitro in IPBGR. The case of the native Aegean subendemic Helichrysum orientale is outlined as a candidate flower crop for commercialization.
The use of synergistic products in combination with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for rooting is also demonstrated.
Bringing plant material from the wild to the laboratory and nursery facilities with authorization for propagation and ex situ conservation is a tedious procedure, especially for rare species with limited and range-restricted populations in nature and little-known biological cycle.
The identity of valuable but limited wild germplasm (e.g. of Greek tulips, Campanula spp., Helichrysum spp., Lamiaceae members, etc.) is consolidated with taxonomic and DNA barcoding system, thus obtaining unique accession numbers and/or genetic documentation.
Propagation-wise, pretreatment methods are necessary for the plant material raised from stock mother plants using cuttings involving various plant growth regulators in combination with innovative nutrient products.
Conservation-wise, acclimatization of the rooted microplants and/or massive production of the valuable germplasm is employed following various procedures and treatments.
The propagated Greek endemic and native germplasm constitutes an established collection of great value which is maintained ex situ in man-made environments at the premises of IPBGR. The strategy presented herein has been successfully applied through targeted research projects for >300 Greek endemic and >1500 native plant species of Greece during the last two decades, resulting in extensive living collections maintained as bulbs, corms, living plants in pots, stored seeds and microplants in vitro in IPBGR. The case of the native Aegean subendemic Helichrysum orientale is outlined as a candidate flower crop for commercialization.
The use of synergistic products in combination with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for rooting is also demonstrated.
Authors
G. Tsoktouridis, N. Krigas
Keywords
native species, biodiversity, molecular markers, rooting, cuttings
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