In vitro REGENERATION OF Echinopsis chamaecereus H. FRIEDRICH & GLAETZLE cv. ‘Aurea’

Abstract

Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. “Aurea” is an ornamental cactus whose achlorophyllic condition limits photosynthesis and it must be grafted onto another cactus in order to survive. For its commercial use, propagation systems such as in vitro plant tissue culture are required. The purpose of this research was to establish a protocol for in vitro regeneration of Echinopsis chamaecereus cv. ‘Aurea’ plants from areolar segments. Explants were disinfected with sodium hypochlorite (6% v/v) and colloidal silver (0.048%) and sown in MS medium with benzylaminopurine (4.4, 8.8 and 13.2 mM) and naphthaleneacetic acid (5.3, 10.7 and 16.0 mM). The experimental design was completely randomized with 20 repetitions per treatment and the experimental unit was an explant in each flask. Shoots and callus were formed at 30 d with 13.2 mM benzylaminopurine and 5.3 mM naphthalenacetic acid; 12.6 shoots per explant and 3.01 g of fresh callus tissue were obtained. In the multiplication stage 55 shoots were regenerated per explant with 13.2 mM benzylaminopurine and 5.3 mM naphthaleneacetic acid. Callus were not morphogenic and did not survive. With this in vitro regeneration system, it is feasible to generate “Aurea” plants for the production of micrografts and massive multiplication for conservation and commercial purpose.