A regeneration induction in different explants of medicinal herb Myrtus communis L.

Myrtus communis L. is a perennial and aromatic herb with numerous medicinal properties. Myrtus communis L is a medicinal plant that is used in traditional medicine in many parts of the world. Propagation of this plant with cuttings or seeding is associated with particular difficulties. The long seed dormancy period and the production of small and weak seedlings are the disadvantages of seed propagation. The optimization of in vitro tissue culture to facilitate the extraction of the component of this plant is important. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the callus induction rate and callus initiation of Myrtus communis L. in different hormones.

This experiment required a large number of germinated seeds of Myrtus communis L. in a Murashic-Scug (MS) medium. The seeds began to germinate after 20 days. Then, germinated seeds were divided into three studied explants: shoot explants, root explants, and leaf explants in MS medium containing 2,4-D. After 7 days, the callus production was recognized. The explants then were used to evaluate the regeneration rate of Myrtus communis L. in the MS medium containing growth regulators kinetin, BAP, TDZ, and combining the two hormones (BAP+TDZ) at four levels (0-1-2-3) mgl-1.

The results of this study showed the highest callus regeneration rate and callus growth rate were obtained from the leaf explants. Kentin hormone was the least effective hormone for regeneration of Myrtus communis L. and TDZ hormone had a greater effect than Kentin and BAP hormones. Additionally, the combination of 1.5 mgl-1 BAP with 1.5 mgl-1 TDZ, produced the highest callus regeneration in leaf explants.

From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the regeneration of Myrtus communis L. is feasible through the application of leaf explants and a combination of BAP+TDZ hormones.