Utilisation of in vitro Techniques in Rescue of Gene Resources of Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis L.)

Abstract

In the case of poor germination of seed samples and minimal number of seedlings obtained, in vitro methods can be used to revitalise and recover the gene resource. The highest germination of meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis L.) seeds was achieved after scarification with H 2 SO 4 and cultivation in MS medium. The seedlings were used as a material for micropropagation. Regeneration passed through nodal segments cultivated on basal MS medium solidified with a combination of agar and phytagel. This culture medium was also suitable for the plant maintenance. An addition of cytokinin to the induction medium did not support multiplication and growth. In the basal MS medium rooted 72.5% (gene resource 62) or 42.5% (gene resource 28) of shoots. The rooting of gene resource 28 was increased to 63% by the addition of indolylbutyric acid to the culture medium. The regenerated plants were successfully transferred to the soil. This protocol can be used to rescue gene resources of this species.