Micropropagation and rooting of myrtle plant (Myrtus communis L.) by classical and next generation plant tissue culture tecniques

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is one of the important aromatic and medicinal species from the Myrtaceae family. Myrtle is a widely used spice that has many applications in the perfumery, food and pharmaceutical industries. It is also widely used for ornamental purposes such as fencing, road sides and green cutting. Plant tissue culture techniques are significant tool to micropropagate for the plant producer. Temporary immersion systems (TIS) represent an alternative in vitro micropropagation mechanism for plant species. A new culture vessel named PlantForm TIS bioreactor has been recently developed. In the present study, we aimed evaluating and comparing of a new type of TIS bioreactors with agar media for different two myrtle. MS medium supplemented with 1 mg l-1 BAP were used for multiplication, with 1 IBA mg l-1 for rooting. Two different immersion times (4h and 8h) were compared with the solid agar medium. Plantlets growing in PlantForm system were clearly better than solid medium. All data recorded at micropropagation and rooting treatments is much more successful. In conclusion, PlantForm TIS bioreactor presents a valid alternative to classical systems in vitro micropropagation and rooting, resulting in a reduction of cost, labour and time for the mass propagation.