Propagação in vitro de pitaia vermelha

Abstract

Red dragon fruit of white pulp (Hylocereus undatus), belonging to the Cactaceae family, is the most cultivated exotic species today. Characteristics such as sweet and soft flavor, firm pulp and full of seeds, have aroused interest in the producers because of their great acceptance in the consumer markets and the high value paid per kilo of the fruit. In order to optimize the protocol for micropropagation of pitaia, four experiments were performed: 1) In vitro germination of red dragon in the absence and presence of light; 2) In vitro germination of red pitaya seeds at concentrations of salts and sucrose; 3) In vitro multiplication of red dragon under different concentrations of BA e 4) In vitro elongation and rooting of red dragon segments. In vitro germination of red dragon seeds occurs in the presence of light in culture medium containing 25% of the mineral salts of the MS medium and 30 g L-1 of sucrose. Addition of 1.0 mg L-1 BA (6-benzyladenine) in the culture medium provides greater efficiency in the multiplication phase. The use of 4.0 mg L-1 IBA (indolbutiric acid) promotes the in vitro rooting of Hylocereus undatus.