In Vitro Propagation of Limonium cordatum (L.) Mill. for Short-Term Conservation

Limonium cordatum (L.) Mill. (Plumbaginaceae) is a halophilous plant. Due to the intense anthropic pressure that influenced its habitat, it is classified as Vulnerable (VU) according to the conservation status of all the Italian endemic vascular plants. Since micropropagation could ensure massive plants multiplication, in order to preserve and restore gene pool of rare and endangered species, this method was successfully applied in L. cordatum. The uses of two different light intensities and two levels of temperature were tested to promote better plant quality. BA at 0.2 mg/L ensured the highest multiplication rate (12 new shoots/explant/month). Single-rooted explants are the best material to obtain plants suitable for acclimatization activities.