In Vitro Conservation of Mexican Garlic Varieties by Minimal Growth
Bibiana Tirado1, Víctor Manuel Gómez-Rodríguez1, Carlos Iván Cruz-Cárdenas2
1Centro Universitario de los Altos, Universidad de Guadalajara, Av. Rafael Casillas Aceves 1200, Tepatitlán de Morelos 47620, Jal, Mexico.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 9, 2023
Summary
Medium-term garlic (Allium sativum L.) germplasm conservation is crucial. In vitro minimal growth culture at 5°C for one year proved optimal for preserving three Mexican garlic varieties.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Biotechnology
- Germplasm Conservation
Background:
- Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a vital food crop requiring conservation.
- Ex situ field conservation faces biotic and abiotic challenges.
- In vitro minimal growth offers a complementary medium-term germplasm preservation strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro conservation of three Mexican garlic varieties using minimal growth.
- To determine optimal conditions for medium-term garlic germplasm storage.
Main Methods:
- Garlic plants were cultured in six media at 25°C, 18°C, and 5°C.
- Survival, contamination, and shoot height were analyzed over 365 days.
- A randomized design and variance analysis were employed.
Main Results:
- Optimal in vitro conservation for one year was achieved at 5°C.
- The best results were obtained using a basal Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 68.46 g L⁻¹ sucrose and 36.43 g L⁻¹ sorbitol.
- Pebeco, Tacátzcuaro Especial, and Huerteño varieties showed successful conservation.
Conclusions:
- A successful protocol for medium-term in vitro garlic conservation was established.
- The protocol can be adapted for other garlic varieties in germplasm banks.
