MICROPROPAGATION OF Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) F. A. C. Weber ex Britt. & Rose, ORNAMENTAL CACTUS AND PHYTOGENETIC RESOURCE OF THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT

Abstract

A protocol which comprises four stages was made for the micropropagation of Epithelantha micromeris, a cactus in risk status, in order to obtain a good number of plants in a healthy phytosanitary condition, with uniform size to attain a successful acclimatization. The proposed propagation method is efficient compared to the traditional one. It is a new production technology which is feasible to apply in the ornamental product-system, under the scheme of laboratory-greenhouse. The seeds of this species are quiescent and can be established in vitro on a 50% MS medium in which it can get a maximum of 60% PG, which surpasses its counterpart supplemented with phytohormones (GA3); this means that the species does not need promoters for germination. The induction of shoots was obtained from epicotyl segments as explants in MS medium with different treatments. It was determined that the type and concentration of phytohormone has an influence upon the multiplication rate, generating up to 15 shoots per explant; kinetin (KIN) in interaction with AIB 10:1 in low concentration is the promoter of this effect. During the in vitro rooting it was observed that the application of 1.5 x 106 CFU ml-1 of Azospirillum brasilense has a positive effect on the rhizogenic process, generating up to 9 roots 2.3 cm long by plant. This methodology regenerates species in risk status of ecological importance for the Chihuahuan Desert and improves biological processes for the production of ornamental plants.