<i>In vitro</i> establishment of <i>Vasconcellea x helbornii</i> (Badillo) Badillo shoots

Abstract

Babaco [Vasconcellea x helbornii (Badillo) Badillo] is a specie of commercial importance in Ecuador. The present work aimed to establish in vitro shoots of axillary buds from mother plants of babaco kept in greenhouse. Carbendazim and the biostimulant (GERMO-TB01) were applied to the plants. For the disinfection of the explants, three concentrations of Sodium Hypochlorite (1, 1.5 and 2%) were evaluated during two times (5 and 10 minutes). In addition, the effect of the use of Gentamicin 50 mg l-1 and Streptomycin 25 mg l-1 in the culture medium was determined. The best results were achieved by using 1.5% Sodium Hypochlorite for 10 minutes and immersion in a solution with both antibiotics for 3 hours. A 68.5% in vitro establishment of the shoots was achieved at 21 days of culture. The results will contribute to in vitro mass propagation of this hybrid. Key words: antibiotic mixture, babaco, disinfection, micropropagation