Micropropagation of Physalis peruviana L.

Abstract

Physalis peruviana L. (Solanaceae) is an herbaceous fruit-bearing species that has been gaining market acceptance due to its nutritional and medicinal potential. The main limitations to its cultivation are the short reproductive cycle, the susceptibility of the fruits to pests and the lack of information about the crop management. Hence, studies are necessary to develop strategies for its propagation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and explants on the morphogenetic potential of P. peruviana, as well as to establish a protocol for the micropropagation of the species via direct organogenesis. To evaluate the morphogenesis, cotyledonary node, cotyledon, leaf, epicotyl, hypocotyl and root explants were inoculated in Murashige & Skoog culture medium with half the normal concentration of salts and supplemented with cytokinin BAP (0.00 µM, 2.22 µM, 4.44 µM, 6.66 µM or 8.88 µM), plus 30 g L-1 of sucrose and 7 g L-1 of agar. Aiming at a direct production of shoots, the cotyledonary node explant was submitted to 0.00 µM, 2.22 µM, 4.44 µM, 6.66 µM, 8.88 µM, 13.32 µM, 17.76 µM or 22.20 µM of BAP. The obtained shoots were tested regarding their rooting potential in media with and without the addition of activated charcoal and then were transferred for acclimatation. The cotyledonary node and leaf explants were the most efficient sources for the regeneration of shoots via direct and indirect organogenesis, respectively. The most significant results for direct shoot production were obtained with 12.50 µM of BAP. These shoots were successfully rooted in vitro in medium without activated charcoal, and the microplants acclimated in vegetable earth attained 100 % of survival after 90 days of acclimatation.

KEYWORDS: Organogenesis, 6-benzylaminopurine, tissue culture.