Callus formation from immature inflorescence of cedar and hybrids mahogany

Abstract

Meliaceas have great importance in the construction and furniture production, among other applications. Swietenia mahogany x Swietenia macrophylla is a hybrid originally from the Caribbean islands, in Cuba its known as hybrid mahogany. In Swietenia hybrid and Cedrela odorata the natural propagation is by seed and asexual by graft.These forms of propagation are limited, in the production of these species. Biotechnological techniques may help to find new ways for its propagation. The objective of this paper was to provide callus formation in Swietenia mahogany x Swietenia macrophylla and Cedrela odorata for the in vitro propagation. Mature trees of 40 years old (Swietenia hybrids and Cedrela odorata) were used. Young inflorescences from branches were taken from these plants, which were disinfected with the same protocol reported for other Meliaceas and they were established in the culture medium MS + 0-1 mg.l-1 Thidiazuron. Callus nodular with good morphogenic characteristics were obtained. The somatic embryos were achieved in the darkness in Swietenia mahogany x Swietenia macrophylla Key words: mahogany hybrid, Red Cedar, somatic embryos, Thidiazuron Abbreviations: Thidiazuron- N-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl-N-phenylurea