Optimization of the processes of sterilization and micropropagation of cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) from apical explants of seedlings in in vitro cultures

Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) is a tall, reaching up to 2.5 m, perennial plant that represents the Asteraceae family. Silphium perfoliatum L. can be applied in medicine, animal feeding, and as a decorative, honey-producing and energy production plant which proves its multi-functional features. Sowing material currently available in Poland is insufficient, which justifies the present attempts at propagating these plants in in vitro cultures. Therefore, Silphium perfoliatum L. seed sterilization and micropropagation processes were studied under controlled conditions in in vitro cultures. Among the tested methods, ACE proved to be the most effective for sterilization. The apical parts of seedlings were used as explants; they were placed onto MS media with growth regulators added. 4 growth regulator concentration variants were applied. The highest percentage of explants with lateral shoots (41.7%) and callus (90.3%) was obtained on MS medium with 5 mg x dm-3 BAP + 1 mg × dm-3 NAA added. Shoots were isolated and transferred onto MS rooting medium without growth regulators. The rooted plants were transferred to the greenhouse and acclimatised to ex vitro conditions