Pectimorf® effect in the <i>in vitro</i> rooting of ‘FHIA-18’ (<i>Musa</i> AAAB) plants

Abstract

The use of products based on oligogalacturonides in the in vitro culture of plants promotes different biological processes including rooting. The present work was carried out to verify the effect of Pectimorf® in the in vitro rooting of 'FHIA-18' (Musa AAAB) and its residual effect in the acclimatization stage. Pectimorf® (0.1, 1.0, 2.0 mg l-1) and Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) 1.3 mg l-1 (control) were added to the MS culture medium. At 9, 12 and 15 days after culture the number of plants with roots was quantified and the percentage of rooting was calculated. At 21 days the number of roots per plant was quantified, length (cm) and root thickness (mm) were measured. The plants were transferred to the acclimatization stage and after 45 days were determined on 40 acclimatized plants per treatment, survival (%), plant height (cm), pseudostem thickness (cm) and number of leaves. The results showed that incorporation into the Pectimorf® MS culture medium at a rate of 2 mg l-1 is a feasible alternative in the rooting and subsequent acclimatization of 'FHIA-18' in vitro plants. Keywords: micropropagation, oligogalacturonide, plant growth regulators