Conservation via in vitro propagation of endangered species from Grazalema natural park (early results)

8 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, 7 references.In vitro propagalion under controlled culture conditions of the endangered species from Grazalema Natural Park Atropa baetica Willk, Centranthus nevadensis Boiss, Echinospartum algibicum Talavera & Aparicio, Lavatera maritima Gouan and Phlomis margaritae Aparicio & Silvestre is being investigated. Initially, germination trials were performed wilh the species A. baetica, E. algibicum and L. maritima but not with C. Nevadensis (due to lack of seeds) and P. margaritae (a hybrid which does not seeds). Germination was satisfactory for all the species in the two culture media used (MS and Troncoso in both cases with 3% sucrose) with a higher response and better seedling growth of A. baetica and E. algibicum. The establishment of micropropagation protocols for all these species has been initiated employing as source of plant material apical and axillary buds, rhizome (only with P. margaritae) petioles and leaves. At this early stage of the investigation, A. baetica has provided promising and encouraging results in all the micropropagation stages being MS basal salts with 3% sucrose supplemented with different combinations of BAP and NAA a positive nutrient medium. Moreover, adaptation of regenerated A. baetrica plantlets to greenhouse conditions has been achieved. The response obtained with the other species has been less promising due to high contamination rates and low response to the culture media used. However, this requires further studies which are currently being undertaken.Project no. AMB94-l372 funded by CICYT.Peer reviewe