In vitro propagation of Dianthus balbisii Ser. subsp liburnicus (Bartl.) Pign. by shoot tip culture

Within the framework of the European project LIFE00NAT/IT/7216 for conservation of environments of endangered bats, in vitro propagation of Dianthus balbisii Ser. ssp. liburnicus (Bartl.) Pign. (Caryophyllaceae) from wild plants in the Onferno Natural Reserve has been planned to restore foraging habitats. A satisfactory percentage of not contaminated explants has been achieved after double sterilisation of nodal segments. Shoot proliferation occurred on a MS based medium enriched with 0.5 mg L BAP and 0.7% commercial agar (B&V, Parma, Italy, 51000). After a short in vitro phase on a medium enriched with 1 mg L-1 IBA for root induction, acclimatisation in the greenhouse was successful. Plants have already been transplanted to outdoor flowerbeds in the Reserve. Different characteristics shown during proliferation and after acclimatisation by clones, each derived from single initial shoot tip, are still under observation.