Application of in vitro culture and biotechnology for the protection of endangered national plant species in Poland

In Poland, research applying in vitro techniques to protect endangered national plant species began 30 years ago. Scientists from approximately 10 research centers comprising universities, research institutes, and botanical gardens, have conducted the most significant studies to date. In this paper, we review the knowledge and experience accumulated over the last few decades regarding the micropropagation of more than 40 wild Polish plant species. This research covered all groups of plants: ferns, monocotyledons, dicotyledons, and woody species. Most studies have focused on dicotyledon classes and species belonging to eight botanical families. Among them the first research was on the use of in vitro cultures for the protection of endangered plants of the Droseraceae family. Several micropropagation protocols have been established, in which organogenesis is a more frequently used morphogenetic pathway for plant propagation than somatic embryogenesis. The major aspects investigated included the selection of an appropriate initial explant and optimization of the medium composition. An embryogenic cell suspension culture was established, and a technology for obtaining artificial seeds was developed. Some studies have extended the acclimatization of plants to ex vitro conditions. Recent studies, apart from in vitro techniques, have also used molecular biology and genetic techniques, which may support the implementation of plant regeneration systems developed in Poland to protect endangered species.