The success of biotechnology for in vitro citrus plant breeding programs depends on the availability of efficient methodologies for plant regeneration. The objective of this work was to establish a system for regeneration of in vitro plants, through organogenesis of 'Cleopatra' (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) mandarin plants. Experiments were performed to evaluate the concentration of BAP and culture conditions, position and polarity of the epicotyls segment in culture media to maximize the regeneration of plants. For bud induction, epicotyls segments (1.0 cm of length) were cultivated in MT media, and evaluated after 45 days for % of responsive explants, and number of responsive buds per explants. For rooting, MT and MT/2 media were tested, with and without NAA (1,0 mg L-1). After 60 days, the % of shoots that emitted roots was evaluated. The maximum shoot proliferation was obtained under dark for 30 days, with BAP at 2.0 mg L-1. No effect of explants position in organogenesis response was observed. The apical and medium segments were shown to be more responsive than the basal segments. BAP concentration of 1,0 mg L-1, under dark for 30 days, at shoot induction stage, combined with the lack of auxin in MT/2 media, at the rooting induction stage, assured greater rooting of the regenerated shoots.
in vitro plant culture; organogenesis; mandarin; Citrus
