Rooting and acclimatization of in vitro regenerated shoots of imperial bromeliad.


Rooting induction and acclimatization are the most important phases during in vitro plant propagation and may affect the process because of its inefficiency and lack of appropriate protocols. Although some methodologies have already been described for in vitro propagation of bromeliads, no protocol has yet been defined for the imperial bromeliad (Alcantarea imperialis), an endangered native Brazilian bromeliaceae. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of MS medium supplemented with different NAA concentrations (0.0; 0.1; 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1) on rooting induction of shoots obtained through in vitro regeneration. The acclimatization of rooted and non-rooted plantlets was also evaluated. Although root induction was observed in all shoots in the presence of NAA, the use of 0.1 mg L-1 is suggested to reduce costs and the number of secondary roots formed. Higher acclimatization efficiency is obtained using rooted plantlets.