In vitro conservation of Amburana cearensis (Fabaceae)

ABSTRACT: Slow-growth tissue culture allows in vitro conservation of plant genetic resources and is a complementary technique to conventional preservation methods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the culture medium supplemented with sucrose, mannitol and sorbitol osmotic agents on the induction of in vitro slow growth of A. cearensis, seeking to establish alternative techniques for ex situ conservation of the species. Plants with age of 10 days were inoculated in woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with different concentrations of sucrose (87.64, 131.46, 175.28 or 262.92 mM) combined with mannitol or sorbitol at varying concentrations (0.0, 43.8, 65.73, 87.64 or 131.46 mM), solidified with 0.7% agar. The following parameters were evaluated: survival percentage, number of senescent leaves, aerial part length, root length, aerial part dry mass, root dry mass; and number of shoots. The conservation of A. cearensis was viable for up to 300 days in WPM supplemented with 262.92 mM of sucrose or the combination of 87.64 mM of sucrose with 43.80 mM of mannitol, because besides achieving a survival percentage greater than 55.0%, the plants conserved in these media presented normal development and the best appearances, with predominance of uniform green leaves during the storage process.