In vitro Propagation of Silybum marianum L.

Silybum marianum L. is a wild medicinal herbal plant found in Jordan. In vitro propagation of this medicinal crop was achieved by using explants from seedlings produced in vitro from seeds. Seeds were surface-sterilized and inoculated on the surface of hormone-free Murashige and Skoog, 1962 (MS) medium until full germination occurred. MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l kinetin and 0.1 mg/l NAA was used for multiplication of mother stock obtained from developed seedlings. Proliferation was experimented with different levels (0.0, 0.4, 1.0, 1.6 or 2.0 mg/l) of kinetin, BA, or 2ip. Highest proliferation of S. marianum was obtained when BA and 2ip were used at (2.0 and 0.4 mg/l; respectively). Kinetin gave highest proliferation at 1.6 mg/l. Rooting was experimented at different levels (0.0, 0.4, 1.0, 1.6 or 2.0 mg/l) of IBA, IAA and NAA. Highest root number (4.0) and length (6.14 cm) was achieved at 1.0 mg/l NAA, and no roots were shown on MS media supplemented with IAA or IBA. Rooted transplants were acclimatized ex vitro successfully with 70% survival.