An efficient in vitro propagation protocol of Dianthus giganteiformis Borbas subsp. kladovanus (Degen) Soo

Dianthus giganteiformis subsp. kladovanus is an endemic, endangered, horticulturally appealing perennial plant that can be used for the revegetation of sand dunes of the Danube region. The appropriate method for its effective production is micropropagation. For this reason, the experiments were conducted in order to establish an efficient protocol for the micropropagation of this subspecies. The sterile culture was initiated from seeds collected in situ and the germination percentage was high (88%). According to the results obtained in this study, the multiplication phase should be performed on an MS medium enriched with 0.1 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L NAA. The concentration of MS salts significantly influenced rooting, and higher rooting percentages were obtained on reduced MS media (91.7 - 95%) than on MS media (73.4 - 76.7%). The addition of NAA slightly increased rooting percentage (up to 95%). Obtained microplants were successfully acclimatized (83.3%) in a substrate composed of peat and sand (1: 1; v/v). Using the protocol presented in this paper, the efficient propagation of D. giganteiformis spp. kladovanus can be achieved for rapid plant production aimed at revegetation, biodiversity protection and floricultural production of this species.