Journal article
Large-scale micropropagation of the Australian key species Gahnia radula (Cyperaceae) and its return to revegetation sites
A Kodym, I Clarke, C Aponte, S Turner, E Bunn, J Delpratt
Australian Journal of Botany | CSIRO PUBLISHING | Published : 2014
DOI: 10.1071/BT14091
Abstract
We report on the successful propagation of the sedge Gahnia radula (R.Br.) Benth. from seed by using plant tissue culture, and its successful establishment in the field. This keystone species, although common along parts of the eastern coast of Australia, is currently not available for revegetation because of a lack of efficient propagation methods, leading to the use of substitute species in many restoration programs. Even though seed quality is a common problem for G. radula, one population bearing filled seed was located in the near-east of Melbourne and after harvest of fruit in December 2011, seeds were successfully germinated in vitro after removal of the pericarp. Overnight soaking in..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We thank the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne for the use of the aspirator and James Wood from the Royal Botanic Gardens Tasmania for sharing information and seeds. Many thanks also to the numerous people from Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, who sent in their seed collections, reported their field observations and provided practical advice. Thanks also go to the staff of Parks Victoria Endeavour Hills and their team of volunteers. The project was partially funded by Melbourne Water.