Estimation of the Cloning Potential in Six Selected Genotypes of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea PurpureaL.)

Six genotypes of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.) with good field performance were selected and the most suitable concentrations of benzyladenine (BA) in the culture medium were determined for the production of buds through adventitious bud regeneration and axillary bud proliferation separately. Large variation in the most suitable concentrations of BA for cultures was observed among the six genotypes and among different explants of leaf, petiole and root. Under the most suitable concentrations of BA, the strategy for production through axillary bud proliferation was much more efficient than the strategy based on adventitious bud regeneration, in five out of the six genotypes. On the basis of the obtained data, one of the genotypes could produce theoretically more than 400 000 000 plantlets in one year, two could produce more than 10 000 000 plantlets, and the other three could produce at least 100 000 plantlets.