DNA Barcoding, GIS-Facilitated Seed Germination and Pilot Cultivation of Teucrium luteum subsp. gabesianum (Lamiaceae), a Tunisian Local Endemic with Potential Medicinal and Ornamental Value

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Neglected and underutilized plants (NUPs) are significant resources that are often endemic to small geographical territories. Focusing on the Tunisian local endemic Teucrium luteum subsp. gabesianum (Lamiaceae) and using Geographical Information Systems and online databases, we created a detailed ecological profiling for this taxon in terms of temperature and climate conditions required for sustaining wild-growing populations in situ, and we showed how temperature affects its ex-situ seed germination, thus making its cultivation in anthropogenic environments possible for the first time. We further investigated the growth and pilot cultivation of seedlings responding to chemical and integrated nutrient management (INM) fertilizers, outlining the advantageous effect of INM. The first-reported herein DNA barcoding offers insight regarding the taxonomic circumscription of other Teucrium taxa, enables future traceability in products, and may be useful in future product design. The multidisciplinary approach followed herein may bridge research gaps hindering the conservation efforts and/or the sustainable exploitation of this local endemic NUP of Tunisia to date. As a result, the feasibility and readiness timescale for its sustainable exploitation was re-evaluated, upgrading (>two-fold) its potential value for the medicinal-cosmetic, agro-alimentary, and ornamental-horticultural sectors. ABSTRACT: In the context of plant conservation and sustainable use of unique neglected and underutilized phytogenetic resources, this study focused on the Tunisian local endemic Teucrium luteum subsp. gabesianum (Lamiaceae). Using Geographical Information Systems and online databases, detailed taxon-specific ecological profiling was produced for the first time, which illustrated the temperature and climate conditions in its wild habitats and facilitated the investigation of how temperature affects its seed germination, thus making its cultivation in anthropogenic environments possible. Following the seed propagation first reported herein (77.5–81.25% at temperatures between 15 and 25 °C), species-specific in situ and ex situ conservation efforts or sustainable exploitation strategies can be enabled. This study also reported for the first time how chemical and integrated nutrient management (INM) fertilizers affect the growth and pilot cultivation of its seedlings (INM more advantageous). The firstly-reported herein DNA barcoding may enable its traceability, allowing future product design. The multidisciplinary approach followed has paved the way to bridge important research gaps hindering conservation efforts and/or the sustainable exploitation of this local Tunisian endemic plant to date. Based on the aforementioned results, the feasibility and readiness timescale for its sustainable exploitation was overviewed and re-evaluated herein, upgrading (>two-fold) its potential value for the medicinal-cosmetic, agro-alimentary, and ornamental-horticultural sectors.