IN VITRO ESTABLISHMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF Eugenia involucrata DC.: INFLUENCE OF EXPLANT SOURCE AND NUTRITIONAL MEDIUM

Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198050985092

Eugenia involucrata DC. (Myrtaceae) is a forest species native to several Brazilian states which has several features of interest in the sectors of forestry, horticulture, environment and medicine. Considered the difficulty of propagation by seeds that are recalcitrant and lose viability rapidly after harvest, this study evaluated the influence of the use of apical and nodal segments cultured on different nutrient media on the in vitro establishment and development of this species. Apical and nodal segments collected from three year old plants kept in the greenhouse were inoculated in the nutrient media MS, ½ MS and WPM. At first, 1 µM of NAA and 5 µM of TDZ were added to the culture media, after the explants were transferred to flasks containing the respective fresh nutrient media in absence of growth regulators, but with addition of 1 g L-1 activated charcoal, and cultured for 30 additional days. The ½ MS is most suitable for the in vitro establishment and development of apical segments while media ½ MS and WPM are appropriate for nodal segments. The ½ MS enabled the best results of rooting in explants, together with the WPM, however, the first is more appropriate because it is more economical and more practical. The in vitro establishment and rooting is made possible by the use of apical and nodal segments of E. involucrata DC. The use of nodal segments is more promising for in vitro culture of E. than the use of apical segments.