In vitro propagation of endemic plant Centaurea arifolia Boiss. Taxa

Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) is one of the largest genera in the flora of Turkey. Centaurea arifolia belonging to the genus Centaurea is considered as DD (Data Deficient) according to IUCN category. There are no studies identified aiming to propagate this species in vitro. In this study, the seeds were germinated aseptically in Petri dishes containing growth regulator free Murashige and Skoog half-strength (MS ½) medium. Leaf explants of six-week-old grown seedlings were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg l−1 BAP plus 0.1 mg l−1 NAA and 2 mg l−1 BAP plus 0.2 mg l−1 NAA for indirect regeneration and after three weeks, actively growing calli appeared and proliferated. Induction of adventitious shoot regeneration from calli was achieved approximately 150% (MS1) and 120% (MS2), within three weeks. Regenerated adventitious shoots were best rooted on MS medium containing 1 mg l−1 IBA. This protocol provides a successful propagation technique through indirect in vitro organogenesis from leaf segments of C. arifolia. Keywords: C. arifolia, endemic species, micropropagation