In vitro micropropagation and physiological assessment of Senecio bonariensis

摘要: Senecio bonariensis is a plant native to South American wetlands. This plant has ecological importance, is used in traditional medicine, and is also popular for ornamental purposes. This study aimed to develop the first in vitro propagation protocol for S. bonariensis. Leaf explants were disinfected and placed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) agar medium supplemented with different combinations of growth regulators. We tested the effect of two different cytokinins: Kinetin (KIN) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), in the presence of the auxin α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). All treatments with KIN resulted in root production, but only treatments with BAP induced shoot formation. As results, we determined the optimal concentration for maximum shoot production, achieving a 100% success in rustication while finding similar physiological traits among micro-propagated and wild-type plants. In conclusion, we developed a protocol for the large-scale production of S. bonariensis plants, providing an alternative source of bioactive compounds for medical and pharmaceutical purposes while preserving the natural habitat of this native plant.