Establishment of Eremanthus incanus in vitro

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the procedures for introduction of shoots in vitro taken from seedlings kept in nursery. For the disinfestation of the shoots, immersion times (5, 10, 15 and 20 min) in 2.5% sodium hypochlorite were tested. We also analysed the influence of using fungicide before (7 and 15 days) and after the shoots collection, in the concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 g L^-1 respectively. In order to control the oxidation of explants in vitro, the addition of poly vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and activated charcoal to the culture medium, both at concentrations 1 and 2 g L^-1, were evaluated. The use of sodium hypochlorite allowed disinfestation of the introduced shoots, but there was no significant difference between the times tested. The collection of shoots 15 days after the application of fungicide in the seedlings suppliers of the shoots, allowed the absence of contamination. The oxidation of the explants reached high levels even in the presence of PVP and activated charcoal in the culture medium.