In vitro callus propagation of Acinos rotundifolius Pers.

In-vitro callus propagation is extremely important both for generation of a plant's secondary metabolites and for increasing production of these metabolites. In this study we tried to develop a protocol for callus formation in Acinos rotundifolius Pers. using several different explants. Callus induction in this species has not been studied before. Seeds of Acinos rotundifolius Pers. plants that were collected from their natural habitat were used as plant material. Hormone-free MS medium was utilized to germinate seeds. Cotyledon node and hypocotyl explants were cut in a few mm long sterile pieces and were transferred to the regeneration medium. All hormone concentrations we used for the cotyledon node explants formed callus (100%). We found that the most productive medium for callus weight was the MS medium containing 0.04 mg/L TDZ + 0.2 mg/L IBA. Increased TDZ concentration decreased the callus weight. All hormone concentrations we used for the hypocotyl explants formed callus (100%). No shoot regenerated at these hormone combinations. The heaviest calli formed in the MS medium that contained 1 mg/L BAP+0.5 mg/L 2,4-D. Increase of the BAP concentration decreased the callus weight. In our study, cotyledon nodes and hypocotyls of Acinos rotundifolius Pers. (Calamint) were used as explant sources. Different combinations of TDZ-IBA and BAP-2,4-D concentrations were tested and an in vitro callus propagation protocol was established for the first time. This protocol presumably will be a potentially good protocol for large scale production of secondary metabolites of Acinos rotundifolius Pers., an important medicinal and aromatic plant.