Seed germination and in vitro propagation of Maytenus canariensis through regeneration of adventitious shoots from axillary and apical buds

Seed germination and micropropagation protocols of the medicinal species Maytenus canariensis (Loes.) G. Kunkel & Sunding were optimized. In vitro seed germination occurred (86 to 94.7 %) only after treatment of the seeds with H₂SO₄, followed by surface sterilization and culture on solid nutrient medium without any growth regulators. Micropropagation failed when explants were taken from mature trees, and browning of the nutrient medium frequently occurred despite testing many growth media. Nonetheless, adventitious shoot regeneration was achieved employing axillary or apical buds taken from 2–2.5 months old plantlets obtained after in vitro germination of seeds, following culture on nutrient media supplemented with benzylaminopurine, kinetin and naphthalenacetic acid (NAA), attaining up to 3.9 shoots per explant, after 4–6 months. Root induction was best on a medium containing 4.0 mg dm⁻³ NAA, achieving a 100 % induction. After hardening of rooted plants, survival after transfer to soil was 71.43 %.