<i> In vitro </i> establishment of nodal segments of <i>Annona muricata</i> L. young plants

Abstract

The use of tissue in vitro culture for plant propagation of soursop (Annona muricata L.) promissory trees can help increasing the availability of plants for developing field plantations. Considering these aspect, this work aimed to establish in vitro nodal segments of young plants of soursop. Nodal segments with 1.5 cm of length were superficially disinfected with 70% ethanol during one minute and with sodium hypochlorite (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%) during 15 minutes. The presence of microbial contamination and the number of segments with axillary buds were evaluated after 15 and 25 days of culture. The length (cm) of buds was also determined. Results showed a low incidence of microbial contamination in the explants because the presence of fungi in treatments was not observed. However, 3.8% segments were contaminated with bacteria in the treatment with lower concentration of sodium hypochlorite. Axillary shoots were observed in 73.0% of explants when 1.0% of sodium hypochlorite was used, without significant differences using 1.5%. Shoots development with first expanded leaves and a length ranged between 0.8 and 1.5 cm was observed after 25 days of culture. Increasing culture time, plants showed leaf abscission. These results demonstrate that in vitro culture can be used for the propagation of soursop. However, we must make emphasis in the study of the culture conditions for the multiplication phase. Key words: in vitro culture, microbial contamination, phenolic oxidation, shoot production.