In vitro regeneration and flowering of Portulaca grandiflora Hook.

Abstract

P. grandiflora is a known ornamental plant with abundant flowering. The flowers exhibit varied coloration with distinct forms and simple folded petals and/or multiple. The objective of this work was to induce regeneration via organogenesis and in vitro flowering of P. grandiflora. Nodal segments of seedlings germinated in vitro were used as explant source for regeneration. Kinetin (KIN) and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA) were used for the induction of organogenesis. The treatments supplemented with 1.0 and 1.5 mg L-1 BA induced the highest number of adventitious shoots with an average number of 7.0 (±1.55) e 5.4 (±0.83), respectively. The microcuttings obtained from regenerated shoots produced floral buds. The floral buds were located in the axillary and terminal regions of the microcuttings and developed in approximately 10 days of cultivation until the anthesis. The highest number of flower buds was observed in the presence of 0.75 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid. This study opens new perspectives for the establishment of biotechnological tools to be applied for this important ornamental species.