In vitro Propagation and influence of Silicon Nanoparticles on Growth of Thymus serpyllum

Abstract

Thymus serpyllum L. is a perennial shrub, aromatic plant, native to Europe. It is known as Breckland, wild or creeping thyme. The major ingredients essential oils are thymol and carvacrol, which is a phenol monoterpenes derivative with pharmacological properties. The aim of this research was applying a suitable protocol for achieving micropropagation and growth improvement. Stem segments have been cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 6 benzyl adenine (BA) or kinetin (Kin) or with zeatin for induction shoots. shoots of  5 cm have been cultured on half MS medium fortified with various concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) for rooting. The multiply shoot were transferred on MS fortified with SiO₂-NP_S at 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/ L. The best results of establishment was obtained with 1.0 mg/L BA that gave maximum shoots/ explant and shoot length. In multiplication stage highest shoots/ explant and shoot length were achieved with 1.0 mg/L BA and 1mg/L Kin.  The highest percentage of rooting was at 1.0 mg/L IBA or NAA after one month. The  maximum number of roots / explant and root length were at 0.5 mg/L IBA. The highest number of shoots / explant was obtained at 200 mg/L SiO₂-NPs, but 100 mg/L SiO₂-NPs gave maximum shoot length, number of roots / plantlet and root length. This study was the first to establish a rapid and reliable protocol for micropropagation of wild thymes; proposing as well the potential of using this biotechnology in rescuing wild Thymus species