In Vitro Propagation of Ornamental Myrtus (Myrtus communis)

Abstract

The Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is an evergreen shrub typical of the Mediterranean area; it is an interesting plant with multipurpose use. The ornamental use takes into account the production of green cut branches for indoor decoration and production of pot plants for gardening. In this species, there is a great variability in the natural germplasm around the Mediterranean coasts for type and size of fruit, plant architecture, leaf size and internode length. Selected genotypes have been successfully sterilized and cultured in vitro. The shoots were multiplied on MS (16) salts and vitamins, with 0.5 mg/L BA and 0.2 mg/L IAA. Clones showed variation of multiplication rate and rooting percentage. IAA or IBA at 0.5 mg/L increased the rooting percentage and noticed differences in root number and length. The sucrose concentration can affect rooting, such as light intensity during the in vitro rooting phase can modulate biomass production and chlorophyll content. The combination of these factors enhanced the frequency rate of acclimatization.

LED lighting affects plant growth, morphogenesis and phytochemical contents of Myrtus communis L. in vitro

“…It influences morphogenesis, differentiation of plant cell, tissue and organ cultures (Li et al 2010;Gupta and Jatothu 2013) as well as the proliferation rate (Saebø et al 1995), which could be essential for the production of secondary metabolites. It was shown in M. communis that light intensity during the rooting phase in vitro could modulate biomass production (Ruffoni et al 2010). In our study, light quality affected multiplication rate and chlorophyll content.…”

“…Too low irradiation makes photosynthesis not efficient (Silva et al 2017). Also for M. communis light intensity affects chlorophyll content (Ruffoni et al 2010). The low irradiation is sufficient for plant morphogenesis in in vitro conditions by providing sucrose in medium (Begna et al 2002).…”

“…The species is very important for the forestation of costal zones damaged by fires. Moreover, in Europe, it is widely known and used as an ornamental plant in the florist and garden industry (Nobre 1997;Ruffoni et al 2010), and as a potted plant (Jędrzejko et al 1997). For many years, it has been propagated by seeds or woody stem cuttings (Ruffoni et al 2010;Lim 2012), and is currently also produced in vitro (Ruffoni et al 2010).…”

“…Moreover, in Europe, it is widely known and used as an ornamental plant in the florist and garden industry (Nobre 1997;Ruffoni et al 2010), and as a potted plant (Jędrzejko et al 1997). For many years, it has been propagated by seeds or woody stem cuttings (Ruffoni et al 2010;Lim 2012), and is currently also produced in vitro (Ruffoni et al 2010). Different parts of M. communis (leaves, flowers, fruits) contain many components significant for medicine, food, liqueur and cosmetic industries, thus the production of this plant in large numbers is greatly needed (Amensour et al 2009;Aidi Wannes et al 2010;Romani et al 2012).…”

“…Despite many advantages it is still not very popular in economic use because of the low yield (Gardeli et al 2008). Although there are many difficulties with respect to in vitro cultures of woody plants compared to herbaceous plants, currently M. communis is considered to be a model plant for woody shrub tissue cultures (Mascarello et al 2009;Parra et al 2001;Ruffoni et al 2010). The protocols are known and there are reports of in vitro M. communis propagation and proliferation (Nobre 1997;Parra and Amo-Marco 1998;Ruffoni et al 2010).…”