Abstract

 

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a vegetatively propagated crop of high nutritional, medicinal, and economic importance, nonetheless its conventional conservation in the field is limited by pathogen accumulation and genetic instability. This study aimed to establish the first in vitro garlic collection in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to evaluate two methods of culture initiation: the stem disc method and the clove method. Seven accessions collected from different regions of the Republic of Srpska were introduced into in vitro culture under controlled conditions. Both methods enabled culture initiation, but significant differences were observed in contamination rates and regeneration success. The stem disc method showed superior results, with a lower contamination rate (18%) and higher regeneration efficiency compared to the clove method, where over 50% of explants were contaminated. All non-contaminated explants from both methods demonstrated the capacity to regenerate shoots and roots, indicating their potential for long-term conservation. The findings suggest that the stem disc method, in combination with refined sterilization protocols and careful selection of plant material, represents a more reliable approach for establishing in vitro garlic collections. This study provides the first insights into in vitro conservation of garlic in Bosnia and Herzegovina and contributes to global efforts in safeguarding plant genetic resources and supporting sustainable agriculture.

 

Key words: Allium sativum L., Conservation, Gene bank, Germplasm.