In vitro propagation of Pelecyphora aselliformis Ehrenberg and P. strobiliformis Werdermann (cactaceae)

Summary Development of efficient in vitro propagation, systems for Pelecyphora aselliformis Ehrenberg and P. strobiliformis Werdermann, two endangered Mexican species of cacti, are described. Multiple shoot formation from areoles of in vitro-germinated plantlets was achived in two types of explants (apical and transversal) cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media supplemented with 30 or 50 gl⁻¹ sucrose, 10 gl⁻¹ agar and various treatments with cytokins. Shoot production in these proliferation media was evaluated after one (60 d) and three (180 d) culture cycles. In P. asellifornis 13.7 shoots per explant were produced after the first cycle using apical explants in medium with 8.8 μM 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 30 gl⁻¹ sucrose. In P. strobiliformis the highest proliferation rate (12.4 shoots per explant) was reached using 8.8 μM Ba and 50 gl⁻¹ sucrose with shoot transverse segments as explants. After the third proliferation cycle, 128.1 and 136.3 shoots per explant were obtained in P. aselliformis and P. strobiliformis, respectively. The shoots were clongated in MS basal medium with 3 gl⁻¹ activated charcoal and rooted in MS basal media indoleacetic acid (2.85 or 5.71 μM) or indolebutyric acid (2.46 or 4.90 μM). On averge, rooting efficiency was 89% for P. aselliformis and 87% for P. strobiliformis. The survival frequency, of the plants once transferred, to soil was on average 88%.