MULTIPLE SHOOT PROLIFERATION AND ACCLIMATION OF ‘MIDORI’ AND ‘KALAPANA’ ANTHURIUM (Anthurium andreanum L.) CULTURED IN VITRO

Abstract

Anthurium andraeanum L. is a highly appreciated ornamental species in the Mexican tropics and in the world, considered as speciality flower with an important economic yield. However, its traditional propagation methods for this species are slow from germination to flowering, with genetic variation and low rates for offsprings production (3-4 per year). In vitro tissue culture offers alternative methods for multiple shoot production and for keeping genetic stability when adecuate explants are used. In this study we established the best conditions for the in vitro multiple shoot proliferation and for characterizing the regenerative capability of Anthurium andraeanum L. cvs. ‘Kalapana’ & ‘Midori’. The highest induction of adventitious shoots was obtained by axillary buds of 2-3 mm diameter, which produced 5 to 8 shoots per explant when grown in a medium containing 37.5 % (p/v) of the Murashige and Skoog liquid medium, supplemented with 0.6 mg L^-1 BAP on a rotatory shaker. Shoots developed plantlets after stem elongation in a medium with 0.5 mg L^-1 GA₃. Fractions of these shoots containing one axillary bud were placed horizontally on a 37.5 % MS solid media, added with 0.2 mg L-1 BAP. This treatment promoted a high regenerative capability by direct organogenesis. Maximum shoot regeneration in both cultivars, ‘Midori’ (10) and ‘Kalapana’ (15), was obtained on Phytagel® (0.2 %) solidified culture medium supplemented with 0.8 mg L^-1 BAP, 75 and 90 days after culture initiation, respectively. Shoots developed roots on 50 % MS modified solid medium supplemented with 3.0 mg L^-1 NAA. Plantlets transferred to greenhouse conditions produced a 100% acclimation rate, using peat moss as substrate.