Somatic embryonesis in Agave fourcroydes Lem.

Abstract

The use of meristematic apice of plant is reported for callus formation with embryogenic structures in henequen. Sac Ki cultivated variants of henequen from the Matanzas enterprise germoplasm was used. The embryogenic potencial of three explant (shoop top; leaf blade from in vitro plants; inflorecense bud) under differents iluminated conditions and six rates (0; 0.56; 1.12; 1.68; 2.24; 2.81 µmol.l-1). of two auxins (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacético acid and Dicamba) was tested. Evaluations after second subculture (60 day) were carried out. Stadistical differences within evaluated explants and rates of auxins were found. It was possible to select meristematic apice, 1.12 mmol.l-1 of 2,4-D as the best explant, rate and auxin for the establishment by the first time of the somatic embryogenesis of henequén (Agave fourcroydes Lem). Key words: 2,4 – dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, henequen, meritematic apic