TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE GROWTH, MORPHOGENESIS AND SECONDARY METABOLISM RESPONSES FROM LAMIACEAE SPECIES IN VITRO

Cultural procedures to improve growth (fresh weight) and morphogenic (leaves, shoots and roots) development in the mint family (Lamiaceae) species (e.g. basil, catnip, oregano and spearmint) in vitro are presented.
Novel plant tissue culture systems were employed to increase biomass and shooting.
A survey study with several species is presented testing a wide range of CO₂ levels.
Employment of ultra-high levels of CO₂ (i.e. ≥3,000 µL CO₂ L^-1) promoted greater growth and morphogenesis in most mint species compared to that obtained employing ambient air (350 µL CO₂ L^-1). Employment of a sterile hydroponics system, i.e. an automated plant culture system (APCS), greatly enhanced spearmint biomass and shooting over that obtained employing an agar medium.
Analysis of essential oil composition in spearmint cultures grown in various culture systems reveals that high secondary metabolite production is often associated with high growth and morphogenesis responses.

XXVI International Horticultural Congress: The Future for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

B. Tisserat, S.F. Vaughn

Automated plant culture system, carbon dioxide, carvone, Mentha spicata, Nepeta cataria, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum vulgare

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.629.43