Micropropagation of Vellozia seubertiana (Velloziaceae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Velloziaceae is one of the main families in the floristic composition of the Campos Rupestres Montane Savanna ecoregion of the Chapada Diamantina Highland, Bahia, Brazil, and has species with significant ornamental potential and resistance to climate changes. The species Vellozia seubertiana stands out for its beautiful flowers and stems covered by leaf sheaths that ensure protection when in contact with fire. However, there is no information on its propagation, conservation, and physiology, which justifies this study. The objective of this work was to establish a micropropagation protocol for V. seubertiana. Seeds were disinfected and inoculated in Murashige and Skoog culture medium (MS) with half salt concentration (MS½) for in vitro establishment. Plantlets established in vitro were used to induce sprouting in MS½ supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 0.00, 4.44, 8.88, and 17.76 µM) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 0.00 and 2.22 µM). The shoots obtained were inoculated in MS½ containing activated charcoal (0.0 and 1.0 g L−¹) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA; 0.00 and 2.22 µM) for rooting. The rooted plantlets were acclimated under greenhouse conditions. A mean of 5.7 shoots were generated through organogenesis in medium containing 8.75 µM of BAP and 2.22 µM of NAA. The use of activated charcoal resulted in the highest means for aerial part and root lengths in the in vivo rooting phase. Acclimated plants reached 75% survival at 60 days after transplanting to ex vitro conditions. The results indicate that micropropagation is a promising technique for the production of V. seubertiana seedlings.