ABSTRACT
Aromatic and medicinal plants (AMPs) have great potential for the synthesis of secondary metabolites, which are used by the pharmaceutical and food industry. In addition, they are part of ancestral medicine and the livelihood of many families in regional economies. Argentina has a high number of AMPs. However, the intensive extraction system (overexploitation), together with other anthropic actions, puts them at risk. The "peperina de las lomas" (Hedeoma multiflora Benth. (Lamiaceae)) is within this problem. This native species, xerophyte, is distributed in central Argentina, in stony mountain areas, forming small bushes. In this work, the existing information of the species was collected, covering from its environmental problems to the most recent investigations, oriented towards its conservation and the development of its germplasm. These data will serve to promote activities aimed at preventing the degradation of this resource and promoting its sustainable use.
Las plantas aromáticas y medicinales (PAMs) tienen un gran potencial para la síntesis de metabolitos secundarios, los cuales son utilizados por la industria farmacéutica y alimentaria. Además, son parte de la medicina ancestral y el sustento de muchas familias de las economías regionales. Argentina posee un alto número de PAMs. Sin embargo, el sistema de extracción intensivo (sobreexplotación), junto a otras acciones antrópicas, las coloca en riesgo. La "peperina de las lomas" (Hedeoma multiflora Benth. (Lamiaceae)) se encuentra dentro de esta problemática. Esta especie nativa, xerófita, se distribuye en el centro de Argentina, en zonas pedregosas serranas, formando pequeñas matas. En este trabajo se recopiló la información existente de la especie abarcando, desde su problemática ambiental hasta las investigaciones más recientes, orientadas a su conservación y al desarrollo de su germoplasma. Estos datos servirán para promover actividades destinadas a evitar la degradación de este recurso y propiciar su aprovechamiento sustentable.
Subject(s)
Plants, Medicinal , Oils, Volatile , Argentina , Endangered Species , Sustainable DevelopmentABSTRACT
The objective of the present work was to establish the molecular identification profile for six new varieties of Nierembergia linariaefolia to incorporate the fingerprint, as complementary information to the standard registration data. Total DNA was extracted from young leaves following the protocol of the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Anchored microsatellites were used as molecular markers. The amplification reactions were carried out with seven primers. A total of 251 loci were detected, 98 percent of them were polymorphic. The average of polymorphic loci was 35 loci per primer and, 41 loci per genotype. Six out of the seven primers used discriminated all the individuals involved in the present study; consequently, it was possible to generate the molecular identification profile for the six new varieties. This result, supported together with our previous reports, indicates that the anchored microsatellites are a very useful technique for the fingerprints generation in N. linariaefolia.
ABSTRACT
The genus Scoparia is native from Argentina. The diversity of colours and shape of their flowers bestows this genus a very interesting ornamental potential. The purpose of the present study is to explore the Scoparia species germplasm by means of in vitro polyploidization in order to improve their ornamental qualities. Accessions of S. montevidiensis var. montevidiensis, S. montevidiensis var. glandulifera, S. nudicaulis, S. hasleriana and S. dulcis were collected and maintained under greenhouse conditions. The Murashige-Skoog medium, supplemented with 0.25 mg/L BAP was used for the nodal segments multiplication of the five Scoparia species. Except for S. hasleriana, the multiplication rate of the other species ranged between 10 and 12 shoots per explant. The colchicine doses tested with S. montevidiensis were: 0.0; 0.1; 0.05; 0.01 and 0.001% (24 and 48 hrs). From a total of 364 recovered plants, 4 solid tetraploid and 16 chimeras were detected. Significant differences were observed for the size of flower, leaves, and the stem diameter among the tetraploid plants and between them and the control. The tissue culture proved to be a powerful tool both to multiply the Scoparia material incorporated to our germplasm collection and to obtain new improved varieties of this beautiful genus.