Leucojum nicaeense Ard.: la propagazione in vitro come strumento per la salvaguardia della biodiversità vegetale.

Leucojum nicaeense Ard. is included in the mondial Red List as an endangered species and it is classified as vulnerable. For the EU it is part of the Annex II Habitat Directive (issued by WCMC) for threatened plants. It is an endemism of Cote d'Azur (S France) and W Riviera of Liguria. The aim of this research is toset up a preliminary protocol of in vitro culture, to evaluate the possibility to maintain ex situ the germplasm and the in vivo reintroduction of the micropropagated bulbs. Seeds weresurface sterilized in a solution of sodium hypochlorite for 20 minutes and then rinsed twice with sterile distilled water; then they were cultured on a semisolid medium composed by micro and macr-elements, vitamins MS, saccharose 30 g/L, agar 8 g/L; pH = 5.7. IBA or BA, added to the basal medium at the same concentration (0.5 mg/L) were tested. The first observations suggested that the best proliferation was achieved when the auxin was used. Multiplication rate, fresh weight, height of the aereal part and rooting were recorded after a culture with IBA (0.5-1.0 mg/L) and they were compared to a hormone-free medium set. Trials topropagate these bulbs with temporary immersion system were also carried out. The micropropagated bulbs were transferred in a greenhouse for acclimatization and further evaluations.