In vitro propagation of herbaceous species of the Aristolochia genus

This report provides the results of microclonal propagation of nine herbaceous species of the genus Aristolochia from to the sections Diplolobus and Gymnolobus. Each of the species has medicinal properties. For the cultivation, Murashige and Skoog medium was used, a hormone-free nutrient medium with a half concentration of macro- and micronutrients and iron chelate. Aristolochia clematitis was characterized by the highest growth rate, and A. baetica by the lowest rate. Explants of A. rotunda showed the highest potential for propagation (with the propagation coefficient equal to 7.5), and A. gigantea had the lowest potential (3.32), which was associated with the growth characteristics of the species under study. The obtained results of successful propagation allow simplification of the existing protocols. The use of the nutrient medium of modified composition is expected to reduce material and labor costs in implementation of programs for conservation of valuable medicinal plant resources.