Rapid in vitro selection of salt-tolerant genotypes of the potentially medicinal plant Centaurium maritimum (L.) fritsch

• Main Authors: Mišić Danijela, Šiler B., Filipović Biljana, Popović Zorica, Živković Suzana, Cvetić Tijana, Mijović A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad 2009-01-01
• Series: Archives of Biological Sciences
• Subjects: Centaurium maritimum; salt tolerance; growth; photosynthesis; flowering; seed germination; gentiopicrine
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2009/0354-46640901057M.pdf

We investigated differences of salinity tolerance between 'salt-tolerant' (ST) and 'salt-sensitive' (SS) genotypes of yellow centaury [Centaurium maritimum (L.) Fritsch] selected during the germination phase. The ability of in vitro cultured C. maritimum to complete the whole ontogenetic cycle in less than 6 months enabled us to deterine salinity tolerance during different growth phases. Based on the physiological attributes measured in this study (growth, morphogenesis, photosynthesis, flowering, seed germination), it can be concluded that C. maritimum genotypes differing in salinity tolerance showed a variable response to elevated salt concentrations during both the vegetative and the generative growth phase.