In vitro germination and acclimatization of Hamatocactus setispinus

Abstract

Seed propagation preserves the population genetic variability and helps selecting desirable features. This study evaluated the in vitro germination of Hamatocactus setispinus in six different culture media, 1- MS basal medium full strength; 2- half-strength MS basal medium; 3- 1.0 g L-1 of Peter’s CalMag® 15-05-15 formulation; 4- 0.5 g L-1 of Peter’s CalMag® 15-05-15 formulation; 5- MS basal medium supplemented with 10% coconut water and; 6- water and agar, with and without activated charcoal, and the speed of germination index, the mean germination time and the germination rate, root length, shoot length and the number of roots were evaluate. The seedlings with superior development obtained from in vitro germination were acclimatized in two substrates: Biomix® Floreira; Biomix® Floreira + sand. Seedling survival, shoot length, shoot diameter, root length, root number, shoot fresh matter weight, root fresh matter weight, shoot dry matter weight and root dry matter weight were evaluated. Peter’s 1.0 g L-1 medium without activated charcoal led to the best results for root length (11.36 mm) and root number (3.84). There was 100% of seedling survival. Acclimatization substrates did not differ among themselves and, therefore, they did not affect seedling growth.