PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS FOR in vitro MINIMAL GROWTH OF Comanthera mucugensis

Abstract

In vitro minimal growth storage is a viable strategy for  ex situ conservation that can be obtained through alterations
of the standard culture medium and environment. The present study evaluated the effects of growth regulators, on
the slow growth storage of Comanthera mucugensis (Giul.) L. R. Parra & Giul. for future in vitro conservation. The
shoots were inoculated in MS culture medium, containing half salt concentrations (MS ½) supplemented with different
concentrations of either ancimidol or paclobutrazol (0; 0.85; 1.70; 3.40 and 6.80 μM). After 180 days of cultivation, the
following characteristics were evaluated: percentage of plant survival, length of the aerial section, percentage of green
leaves, leaf color, length of the longest root, number of roots, dry weight of the root and of the aerial portion, percentage
of plants with shoots, number of shoots per plant, and the length of the shoots. The conservation of C. mucugensis may
be done on MS ½ culture medium for up to 180 days, without subculturing.