Establishing an efficient explant superficial sterilization protocol for in vitro micropropagation of bear’s garlic (Allium ursinum L.)
Abstract
Introduction: Allium ursinum L. has a commercial value due to its high contents of bioactive
compounds and mild, garlic-like taste. In vitro culture played an important role
in obtaining Allium species with the desired characteristics and in the production of
healthy reproductive material. Objective: Developing an effective method of sterilization
bear’s garlic bulbs. Methods: To obtain sterile shoots of garlic several methods of sterilization
involving such factors as ACE, H2O2, HgCl2, and UV-C were tested. Results: In order to
obtain sterile shoots of bear’s garlic, several sterilization procedures were tested. The
best procedure was based on a two-step disinfection, where the whole onions were
treated with ethanol and H2O2 for 20 min. Thereafter, the isolated apical buds were
sterilized in ACE for 10 min, rinsed in double-distilled water and transferred onto MS
medium for growing. Up to 95% of the inoculated explants formed shoots, which were
sub-cultured on MS with 4 mg dm-3 BAP in order to enable further propagation. Conclusion:
After optimization and stabilization, this procedure may become the basic concept
of a proper and reliable propagation method of bear’s garlic on commercial scale.