Tissue Culture Study of the Medicinal Plant Leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.)

Persian shallot, also called leek (Allium ampeloprasum), is a monocotyledon plant of the lily family (Liliaceae). It belongs to the genus Allium, has a characteristic taste and morphological features, and is considered as one of the oniony vegetables. This research was conducted with the purpose of obtaining optimal conditions for tissue culture of Persian shallot and of comparing calli and leaf tissues of this plant with respect to in vivo presence of ethereal oils. In this study, the auxin hormone 2, 4–D at three levels (0.5, 0.1, and zero), the hormone BAP at three levels (0.5, 0.1, and zero), and Kin at two levels (zero, and 0.5) were used in the format of a randomized complete block design in three replications. Results obtained showed that the best culture for callus formation for explants – leaf samples and the best culture for callus formation in explants – seed samples were the MS cultures with the hormonal compositions (0.5 mg of 2, 4–D, 0.1 mg of BAP) and (0.5 mg of Kin and 0.1 mg of 2, 4–D). Identification of the chemical composition of the essential oils of the various species of this plant was carried out by using an essential oil analysis GC mass. Twenty one compounds were observed in the column obtained from the GC mass, seven of which (constituting about 51.5% of the total amount of compounds present in the essential oils) were identified.