Abstract
Medium-term storage for some medicinal plant species collected from Taif governorate was developed. First, the establishment of in vitro propagation system for Caper (Capparis spinosa L) and Lavender (Lavandula dentata L.) plants was studied using axillary buds as explants. Murashige and Skoag (MS) salts with different concentrations and combinations of auxins and cytokinens were used. Second, Shoot tips and nodal buds from in vitro culture plants (C. spinosa L, L. dentata L and Rhazya stricta Decne) were used as explants for in vitro conservation experiments. Eighteen different treatments were used as slow growth medium. After 12 months from conservation, in R. stricta Decne and C. spinosa L a highest percentage of survival rates (91.1% and 93.33%), respectively, were observed on MS + 10 g/L sucrose + 10 g/L sorbitol. However, in L. dentata L the highest percentage of survival rate (90%) was noted on MS + 15 g/L sucrose +10 g/L sorbitol. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis indicated high genetic stability of preserved plant species under investigation. These results suggested that, in vitro conservation using full strength MS salts with low concentrations of sucrose and sorbitol as a carbon source and osmotic agent, respectively, is a suitable slow growth medium for in vitro conservation of C. spinosa L, L. dentata and R. stricta Decne plants.