Micropropagation of Limonium cavanillesii Erben, a threatened statice, from inflorescence stems

Micropropagation of Limonium cavanillesii Erben, a threatened and endemic statice species from Valencia Community (Eastern Spain), was successfully achieved using inflorescence stem pieces as initial explants. Segments 20 mm long from basal parts of immature inflorescences and with axillary buds were cut, sterilised and established in vitro. Shoots obtained from indifferentiated buds were sectioned and then transferred to Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 2 mg l(-1) kinetin to provide a plant stock. Shoot multiplication was achieved on MS medium with different cytokinins. The best results for shoot formation were obtained with 2-5 mg l-(1)kinetin, 5 mg l(-1) 6-gamma-gamma-dimethylallylaminopurine or 0.1 mg l(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine, without significant differences between them. High shoot rooting (80-85%) was obtained within four weeks with indolebutyric acid or indoleacetic acid (0.1 or 0.5 mg l(-1)), and also on medium without plant growth regulators. Plant survival to hardened greenhouse conditions was 90% four weeks after plantlet removal from in vitro conditions. This protocol for micropropagation of Limonium cavanillesii is very useful for conservation purposes of endangered statice species, because by using inflorescence stem as initial material it is easier to establish aseptic cultures while preserving the mother plant.