Introduction of nodal segments and in vitro rooting of <i>Apuleia leiocarpa</i>

Résumé

Apuleia leiocarpa Vogel J. F. Macbr. is a tree species native to Brazil that has high wood quality, and is currently threatened with extinction. Seminal seedlings of grápia are rarely commercialized, and vegetative propagation techniques, such as micropropagation, are considered as alternative methods for the production of grápia trees. However, there is a lack of available information about the in vitro introduction of nodal segments, and little information is available regarding in vitro rooting of grápia trees. As such, there are knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to define a micropropagation protocol for this species. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate different disinfestation solutions in the introduction of nodal segments and of different types and concentrations of auxins in the in vitro rooting of grápia explants. For the introduction of nodal segments, different types of disinfestation solutions and immersion times were evaluated. For rooting, different concentrations and types of auxins were evaluated. The best disinfestation treatment was found to be immersion in sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution with 2.5% active chlorine for 5 minutes. For rooting, treatment with 1.0 mg L^-1 of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA, C₁₀H₇CH₂CO₂H) resulted in the highest rates of adventitious rooting. Grápia nodal segments can be established in vitro, and provide a good source of propagules for micropropagation, and rooting can be favored through the application of NAA.