The objective was to determine a micropropagation protocol for indirect organogenesis and to compare the anatomical characteristics of leaves of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Adlam) obtained in vitro with the leaves maintained in vivo conditions. Capitulum explants of gerbera were taken as an initial source of explants to induce callus and regeneration. The obtained shoots were rootted in vitro and after 30 days seedlings were acclimatized.Thus, anatomical studies of leaves originating from of the in vivo and in vitro cultivation were taken. On average it was obtained 3,2 shoots and 6,6 leaves from the induction of callus in capitulum explants of gerbera. The formation of roots was observed in the presence and absence of NAA, obtaining 100% of rooting. The supplementation of NAA to the medium promoted a linear increase in the number of roots and in the mean length of roots. Seedlings from the in vitro cultivation showed rate of 100% of survival in the acclimatization. The foliar structures developed in vivo showed adaxial epidermis, palisade parenchyma, spongy parenchyma and abaxial epidermis thicker than in the in vitro cultivation. The vascular system in leaves produced in vivo is more developed than in vitro.
Micropropagation; Acclimatization; Gerbera jamesonii
