Black pepper (Piper nigrum) has great importance for the Northern Brazil’s economy. Black pepper is mainly propagated by mass propagation, which is not very efficient and may spread fusariosis. Thus, micropropagation efficiency tests are pertinent. The objective of this research paper was to test BAP - 6-benzilaminopurine concentrations (0.5, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5mg L-1) and activated charcoal at 0.2% addition to the culture medium for black pepper’s micropropagation. Culture medium was composed of Murashige & Skoog’s salts and vitamins, 3% sucrose and 8g L-1 agar. Shoot tips from Bragantina black pepper seedlings germinated in vitro were used as explants. Treatments were evaluated in a 4x2 factorial scheme in a fully randomized design. Forty-five days after establishment, the number of shoots were evaluated, but there was no significative difference between treatments, considering the two factors and the interaction between them. Forty-five days after the first subculture, the number of shoot and explants (nodal segments) were evaluated. Interaction between BAP and activated charcoal had a significative effect on the number of shoots and explants, however, activated charcoal had an influence on BAP concentrations. The concentration of 0.5mg L-1 generated the highest number of shoots and explants. Activated charcoal is not necessary during the Bragantina black pepper shoot bud proliferation phase.
plant cell culture; Piper nigrum; aromatic plant
