Micropropagation of Araruta (Maranta arundinacea L.)

Abstract

Arrowroot cultivation is traditionally performed using rhizomes, but other propagation methods such as in vitro cultivation can be developed and improved to raise the rate of multiplication in a short period of time and to improve the quality of seedlings. The objective of this work was to establish a methodology, especially disinfestation, for the production of seedlings by in vitro culture. Two experiments were conducted, and in Experiment I plants from the experimental field were used and in Experiment II plants from protected cultivation. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of four treatments and 25 vegetative buds. The treatments consisted of the following: a) 2.5% sodium hypochlorite with 10 mL L-1 of Tween 20 (for 1 minute), 70% alcohol (1 min), three washes in autoclaved distilled water; b) 2.5% sodium hypochlorite with 10 mL L-1 of Tween 20 (3 min), 70% alcohol (2 min), three washes in autoclaved distilled water; c) 2.5% sodium hypochlorite with 10 mL L-1 of Tween 20 (6 min), 70% alcohol (4 min), three washes in autoclaved distilled water and control) with only threefold washing in autoclaved distilled water. After 30 days of disinfestation and incubation of the explants, treatment 3 methodology was effective for sprouts from field plants (80% decontamination), but the buds from the greenhouse crop showed a better appearance physics and presence of leaves, and better disinfection response with no contamination.