Alyson DeNittis, Utah Valley University
Lepidium ostleri (Ostler’s peppergrass) and Eriogonum soredium (Frisco buckwheat) are edaphic endemics restricted to Ordovician limestone outcrops associated with the San Francisco Mountain Range in western Utah. All known major populations primarily occur on private lands, with populations having historically sustained concentrated mining activity. Due to restricted population distribution and potential impact from modern mining operations, L. ostleri and E. soredium are currently candidate species for federal listing as threatened by The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This study focuses on establishing micropropagation protocols for both species. Methods for organogenesis or embryogenesis have not been published for L. ostleri or E. soredium. Organogenetic and embryogenetic responses to different plant growth regulators were evaluated. Callus and shoot formation have been induced in L. ostleri on MS media supplemented with different concentrations of IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), BAP (6- Benzylaminopurine), and Kinetin (N6-fufuryladenine). Callus formation has been induced in E. soredium on MS media supplemented with different concentrations of Kinetin, 2,4-D (2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), and NAA (1-Naphthaleneacetic acid). Further results of the effects of different plant growth regulators, media, and growth conditions will be described. Establishing micropropagation protocol for L. ostleri and E. soredium will provide valuable information for potential restoration or relocation efforts of both species.