The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro establishment and growth of apuleia (Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J. F. Macbr.) seedlings under different culture conditions. Apuleia seeds were treated with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 20min and disinfected by the immersion in 70% of ethanol for 30s and sodium hypochlorite with 0, 2.5 and 5.0% of active chlorine for 5, 10 and 15min. The percentage of disinfection and germination were evaluated at 30 days. Aseptic seedlings were transferred to WPM, MS and ½ MS culture medium and evaluated for shoot and root (cm) growth and number of nodal segments and leaves at 15 days. Apuleia seeds were also sown in WPM medium supplemented with 4, 5 or 6g L-1 of agar combined with 10, 20 or 30g L-1 of sucrose. The cultures were kept under two luminescence conditions: light throughout the establishment period and dark during the first seven days. The percentage of germination, shoot and root (cm) growth and number of nodal segments and leaves were evaluated at 15 days. In conclusion, the sulfuric acid and ethanol treatments were enough for the in vitro production of apuleia aseptic seedlings. The aseptic seedlings can grow in both WPM and MS medium, supplemented with 10g L-1 of sucrose and 4g L-1 of agar.
Apuleia leiocarpa; seeds disinfection; germination; culture medium; growth conditions
