Factors influencing axillary bud induction on nodal segments of Micromeria pulegium (Rochel) Benth.

Micromeria pulegium (Rochel) Benth.is an endemic species from family Lamiaceae. Plants from this family are characterized by presence of secondary metabolites and antioxidant components. M. pulegium contains pulegone which is a potential bio-insecticide and a bio-pesticide. Natural populations of this species are so small that there is a need for an alternative way of propagate and proliferation of individuals. Method of micropropagation was used with the goal of mass production of plants with the chemical composition of essential oils as similar as possible to that in wild-harvested plants. This paper presents the study on influence of concentration of mineral salts, carbon sources (sucrose and maltose) and nitrogen source (casein hydrolysate) on process of in vitro regeneration of plants through induction of axillary buds on the nodal segments of Micromeria pulegium. The greatest number of axillary buds was formed in explants grown on MS culture medium with 3 % sucrose and 500 mg/L casein hydrolysate.