The Use of 6-Benzylaminopurine for Rapid Multiplication of Tillandsias

Abstract

Some species of the genus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) are highly endangered in their natural habitats. This report introduces a method for induced lateral shoot development in atmospheric Tillandsias using the cytokinin BAP. Spraying or dipping the plants with BAP-solutions induced many lateral shoots. Even difficult-to-propagate species like T. cacticola L.B.SM developed up to 30 times more usable shoots than the control. Applying low concentrations (1 and 5 mg·L-1) over a longer period of time (10 weeks, 3 times a week) produced results similar to those using higher concentrations (50 mg·L-1) for shorter periods (2 weeks, 3 times a week). Chemical name used: 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP).