Structural analysis of the foliar epidermis during acclimatization of Aechmea blanchetiana (Bromeliaceae) in vitro cultured

The aim of this experiment was to study the anatomical alterations in the foliar epidermis of micropropagated ornamental bromeliad (Aechmea blanchetiana), during the acclimatization period. Structural characteristics of the abaxial epidermis of leaves of seedlings in vitro cultured were analyzed under photonic microscopy. The analysis was undertaken in plants at 0, 7, 28, 49, 70 and 91 days of acclimatization. Usual techniques were employed to prepare the material to obtain the semi-permanent laminae of the paradermal sections. The stomatal density was determined in the leaf medium zone. The studied parameters showed significant anatomical alterations on the first weeks of acclimatization, when the epidermal cell wall thickness, the stomata density and scale area and density showed a considerable decrease compared to the in vitro plantlets. After 49 days the leaves presented characteristics of an adult plant, which probably indicates the end of the acclimatization period.

Aechmea blanchetiana; anatomy; micropropagation; Bromeliaceae