A possibility of saving an endangered endemic of the Lake Baikal shore, <i>Hedysarum zundukii</i> Peschkova (<i>Fabaceae</i> Lindl.) using clonal micropropagation

Abstract

Hedysarum zunduki i Peschkova is one of the Fabaceae endemics of the flora of the Lake Baikal west shore. Because of its very poor renewal by seed production and seedling appearance biotechnological method, clonal micropropagation has been elaborated in order to improve its chances of conservation. A protocol for clonal micropropagation, including introduction, propagation, rooting, acclimatization, field cultivation and prolonged cold storage has been elaborated. Half-dose MS salts, benzylaminopurine 1 mg/dm 3 and 2% sucrose were optimal components of the medium for clonal micropropagation. Sucrose was the superior carbon source by comparison with glucose and maltose. It was found that some agar brands were better for propagation, whereas other ones were better for rooting. Transplants produced from acclimatized plantlets vegetated successfully in field conditions, but did not survived in Irkutsk after wintering. However, the same transplants planted into their natural population survived successfully. Micropropagated plantlets retained their ability for propagation in vitro after 10 -12 months of cold storage at 4℃ with illumination. It was concluded that clonal micropropagation may be used as an additional means for conservation of H. zundukii .