O crescente aumento no uso da micropropagação de teca como forma de produção de clones com qualidades genotípicas e fenotípicas selecionadas a partir de árvores de elite, determinou a importância desse método, pois origina plantações com maior qualidade e uniformidade, agregando maior valor ao preço da madeira no mercado. O uso de sementes para a obtenção de mudas é uma técnica menos onerosa, porém resulta em plantas com tamanhos desiguais e não há um padrão na qualidade da madeira, essa técnica depende também da época de produção de sementes e, portanto é restrita a um período do ano. A micropropagação permite a clonagem em larga escala das árvores de elite em tempo e espaço reduzidos, podendo ser realizada em qualquer época do ano, além disso, permite a formação de mudas totalmente livres de pragas e patógenos. Faz-se necessário, maiores estudos com meio de cultura para Tectona grandis, pois os materiais relacionados a esse assunto são escassos. Para que a técnica do cultivo in vitro da teca seja incrementada, objetivou-se nesse experimento, otimizar o crescimento dos explantes de três clones diferentes, testando a eficiência de 6 meios de cultura com diferentes formulações nutricionais e constatar qual deles apresenta a melhor resposta para cada clone. O estudo contou com 6 tratamentos (MS, Básico, M1, M2, M3 e M4), durante oito épocas de avaliação (0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 e 49 dias), para três clones de Tectona grandis (61, 62 e 68), com três repetições por tratamento/clone, utilizando o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. A avaliação do crescimento foi feita por meio do peso de matéria fresca (PMF), matéria seca (PMS) e a taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR) proporcionado pelos meios. O PMF foi usado para obtenção do PMS e cálculo da TCR. Baseado nos valores do PMS obtidos, para o clone 61, constatou-se a formulação do meio Básico (PMS = 0,38 g), como a mais eficiente. Para o clone 62, o meio mais responsivo foi M4 (PMS = 0,47 g) e no clone 68, destacou-se o meio M3 (PMS = 0,71 g). Quanto a TCR, não foi encontrada diferença estatística significativa para nenhum dos 6 meios de cultura levando-se em conta os três clones. / The increasing use of teak micropropagation as a way of producing clones with genotypic and phenotypic qualities selected from elite trees, established the importance of this method, it leads to higher crop quality and consistency, adding more value to the price of wood business. The use of seeds to obtain seedlings has a less cost, but it results in plants with unequal sizes and wood quality without a pattern. This technique also depends on the time of seed production and therefore is restricted to a year period. Micropropagation allows cloning elite trees in large-scale and reduced time and space. It can be performed at any time of year, in addition, allows the formation of plants totally free of pests and pathogens. It is necessary more studies with culture medium for Tectona grandis, because the materials related to this subject are scarce. To increase the technique of teak in vitro cultivation, this experiment aimed to optimize the growth and development of explants from three different clones, testing the effectiveness of six culture media with different nutritional formulations and find which one offers the best answer to each clone. The study included six treatments (MS, Basic, M1, M2, M3 and M4) for eight periods (0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days) for three clones of Tectona grandis (61, 62 and 68) with three replicates per treatment/clone, in a randomized experimental design. The growth assessment was performed by the fresh matter weight (FMW), dry matter weight (DMW) and relative growth rate (RGR) provided by the media. The FMW was used to obtain the DMW and to calculate RGR. Based on DMW values obtained for clone 61, was found that the formulation of Basic medium (DMW = 0.38 g) was the most efficient. For clone 62, the most responsive medium was M4 (DMW = 0.47 g) and to clone 68, M3 (DMW = 0.71 g) was the highlighted medium. As the RGR, it was found no statistically significant difference for any of the six culture media taking into account the three clones.

O E. benthamii apresenta grande aptidão de cultivo no Brasil, principalmente em regiões de clima frio e com geadas frequentes, isso se deve a sua origem a oeste de Sydney na Austrália, onde as temperaturas são muito baixas, com ocorrência de geadas. Levando-se em conta o seu ótimo desempenho silvicultural, genótipos selecionados certamente representam uma excelente alternativa para plantios futuros. A clonagem de genótipos superiores é realizada através da propagação vegetativa de árvores adultas, e requer material fisiologicamente juvenil ou rejuvenescido. Técnicas especiais são necessárias para reverter árvores adultas a juvenilidade e resgatar condições favoráveis para promover o enraizamento e crescimento. Dentre as técnicas de propagação utilizadas para o resgate de plantas adultas destacam-se o corte raso (decepa), anelamento, estaquia, miniestaquia, enxertia e micropropagação. No caso específico dos eucaliptos para obtenção de brotações, o método de resgate mais utilizado pelas empresas florestais é o corte raso da árvore ou anelamento, técnicas que proporcionam uma alta taxa de enraizamento de estacas, devido à eficiente reversão a juvenilidade. Porém, quando existe a necessidade de preservação do indivíduo, justifica-se o uso de técnicas não destrutivas, evitando dessa forma a morte da árvore matriz. O Presente trabalho objetivou após a seleção in loco de fenótipos com características silviculturais superiores, resgatar (através de técnicas não destrutivas), conservar e multiplicar matrizes adultas de E. benthamii, avaliando-se qual(is) técnica(s) apresenta(m) melhor(es) resultado(s) para a clonagem das mesmas. Para tanto, utilizou-se brotações dos primeiros galhos da copa, brotações epicórmicas (megaestaca), brotações que surgiram provenientes do anelamento e brotações oriundas da poda dos galhos da copa, as quais foram submetidas às técnicas de estaquia, enxertia e micropropagação para cada tipo de broto. Apesar de ter ocorrido variação da porcentagem entre os clones, a megaestaca mostrou ser a melhor alternativa para o estabelecimento in vitro de plantas adultas de E. benthamii, sendo recomendada sua utilização para o resgate de material genético adulto, estabelecido em condições de campo. Todas as matrizes de E. benthamii foram resgatadas com sucesso, e no intuito de formar um banco de germoplasma, um minijardim clonal foi instalado com as mudas que apresentaram melhor qualidade, que poderá ser utilizado para futuros testes e formação de mudas. / The E. benthamii presents a great aptitude for cultivation in Brazil, especially in cold climates and with frequent frosts, this is due to your west of Sydney origin in Australia, where temperatures are very low, with frosts. Taking into account their optimal silvicultural performance, selected genotypes will certainly represent an excellent alternative for future plantings. The cloning of superior genotypes is accomplished by vegetative propagation of mature trees, and requires physiologically juvenile or rejuvenated material. Special techniques are necessary to reverse the juvenile and adult trees recover favorable conditions to promote rooting and growth. Among the propagation techniques used for the rescue of mature plants stand out clear-cutting (coppicing), annealing, cutting, minicutting, grafting and micropropagation. In the specific case of eucalyptus to obtain propagules, the most rescue method used for the forestry companies are clearcutting or annealing, techniques that provide a high rate of rooting, due to efficient reversion to juvenility. However, when there is a need to protect the individual, justifies the use of non-destructive techniques, thus avoiding the death of the tree array. The present study aimed to spot after the selection of phenotypes with characteristics superior silvicultural, rescue (through non-destructive techniques) to retain and multiply matrices adult the E. benthamii, evaluating which technique that present the best result for the cloning of the same. So we used to shoot the first cup of twigs, shoots, epicormic shoots that emerged from the annealing and shoots arising from the pruning of the branches of the crown, which were submitted to the techniques of cutting, grafting and micropropagation for each type of bud. Considering the percentage variation between the clones, the epicormic shoots showed to be the best alternative for the in vitro establishment to the E. benthamii adult plants, being recomended its utilization to the adult genetic material rescue, All the tested E. benthamii plants were rescued with sucess, and in the aim to stablish germoplasm bank, a clonal mini garden was instaled with the plantlets that present the best quality.

M.Sc. / Lotononis bainesii Baker and Lotononis listii Polhill both belong to the subsection Listieae (Fabaceae). Lotononis bainesii is utilised as a forage legume in certain parts of the world, but other species in the genus may also have potential use as forage. The influence of medium composition and pH on multiplication and rooting, as well as hardening and Rhizobium nodulation, was investigated for both species. Shoots were induced in L. bainesii on modified MS media (De Fossard, 1976), supplemented with 0.025 to lOmmoll i NAA and IAA, 0.025 to 0.5/Arno& BAP and Kinetin, 2% fructose, 0.6% agar, with the pH adjusted to 5.8. L. listii was regenerated on the same basic media, but containing 2% sucrose, 0.4% Gelrite and pH adjusted to 5.4. Rooting of L. listii were accomplished on modified MS medium supplemented with 0.5Amol.1-1 IBA and IAA, and 0.025/anol.14 BAP and Kinetin. Rooting and nodule formation under natural conditions were successful for L. listii, but less successful for L. bainesii. Possible differences between plants cultured in vitro and under natural conditions, were also examined using scanning electron- and light microscopy.

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da interação entre o nitrato de amônio e nitrato de potássio sobre as respostas morfogênicas de embriões somáticos de pupunheiras in vitro a fim de otimizar o protocolo de micropropagação da espécie. As concentrações utilizadas foram 0, 825, 1650, 2475 e 3300 mg L-1 de nitrato e amônio e 0, 950 , 1900, 2850 e 3800 mg L-1 de nitrato de potássio, combinadas entre si, perfazendo um total de 25 tratamentos. Os tratamentos foram preparados a partir da solução completa de Murashige e Skoog, devidamente modificado para as proporções desses íons no suprimento de nitrogênio. Utilizaram-se duzentos e cinqüenta embriões somáticos com características morfológicas homogêneas, isentos de raízes e folhas, obtidos a partir de microplantas mantidas em sala de crescimento com temperatura e luminosidade controladas. Foram aferidos dados do comprimento da parte aérea e da raiz, o número de raízes, brotações e folhas, a porcentagem de ramificação da raiz, a porcentagem de raízes finas, medianas e grossas, em quatro períodos de cultura, a cada 60 dias, totalizando 240 dias de cultivo. Ao final desse período, avaliou-se também o teor de proteínas totais solúveis, o teor de clorofila pelo índice SPAD e os teores de macro e micronutrientes nas microplantas. Utilizou-se delineamento estatístico inteiramente casualizado e os dados foram submetidos ao teste de Bartlett a 5% e análise de variância (ANOVA) a 1% e 5% de probabilidade de erro ou foi elaborada uma matriz de correlação de Pearson a 1% e 5% de probabilidade de erro, conforme o caso. Os resultados permitiram inferir que aos 240 dias de cultivo as microplantas passam a investir mais em formação de parte aérea e aumentam a porcentagem de raízes finas, e funcionais. Os tratamentos que melhor favoreceram a formação de proteínas foram aqueles com concentração de 2475 mg L-1 de NH4NO3 ou com 2850 mg L-1 de KNO3. Os maiores índices SPAD ocorreram nos tratamentos com até 1650 mg L-1 de NH4NO3 combinado com até 1900 mg L-1 de KNO3. Diferentes combinações dos sais de NH4NO3 e KNO3 podem favorecer a absorção de cada nutriente. Conclui-se que os resultados obtidos no trabalho podem contribuir com a melhoria do protocolo de micropropagação de B. gasipaes, na medida em que permitem estabelecer o melhor tratamento para maximização de uma resposta específica desejada para cada momento do processo de cultivo dos embriões somáticos de pupunheiras, como enraizamento, crescimento da parte aérea, formação de proteínas e formação de brotações, facilitando dessa forma a otimização da produção de microplantas com características desejáveis e, conseqüentemente, sua aclimatização e desenvolvimento ex vitro. / This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the interaction between ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate on the morphogenetic responses of peach palm somatic embryos in vitro cultivated, to optimize the micropropagation protocol for this species. The concentrations used were 0, 825, 1650, 2475 and 3300 mg L-1 of ammonium nitrate and 0, 950 , 1900, 2850 and 3800 mg L-1 of potassium nitrate, in all possible associations, totalizing 25 treatments. The treatments were prepared with the complete solution of Murashige and Skoog, with modified proportions of these ions in relation to the nitrogen supply. Two hundred and fifty somatic embryos with homogeneous morphological characteristics, without roots and leaves, obtained from microplants from a controlled temperature and luminosity room, were used in the experiment. Every 60 days, during 240 days, the length of shoot and root, the number of roots, propagules and leaves and the root architecture were measured. At the end of 240 days of cultivation, it was also analyzed the total soluble proteins, the foliar chlorophyll by a chlorophyll meter equipment (SPAD-502) and the macronutrients and micronutrients concentrations in the microplants. The experiment was conducted in a randomized design. The data were subjected to Bartlett´s test at 5% and variance analysis (ANOVA) at 1% and 5% of probability of error, or it was made a correlation matrix at 1% and 5% of probability of error, according to each analysis. The results showed that at 240 days of cultivation the microplants spent more energy building the shoot part and raised the percentage of thin, functional root. The best treatments for proteins formation were those with 2475 mg L-1 of NH4NO3 or with 2850 mg L-1 of KNO3. The highest SPAD index occurred in the treatments with at most 1650 mg L-1 of NH4NO3 associated with at most 1900 mg L-1 of KNO3. Different associations of NH4NO3 e KNO3 may favor the absorption of each nutrient. We conclude that the results obtained may contribute to the optimization of the B. gasipaes micropropagation protocol, as it is possible to establish the best treatment for maximization of a specific answer for each moment of the somatic embryos cultivations process, such as rooting, shoot growth, propagules and protein formation, and thus increase the optimization of microplants production with wanted characteristics and hence its acclimatization and ex vitro development.

O objetivo deste estudo foi otimizar a multiplicação de brotações de Eucalyptus globulus Labill., por meio da definição do tamanho de explantes iniciais e de ajustes de nutrientes minerais do meio de cultura. Os meios de cultura utilizados foram o JADS (CORREIA et al., 1995), JADS modificado e o MS. Os tamanhos dos explantes foram definidos por suas massas frescas iniciais e classificados em T1 (0,1430g), T2 (0,2685g) e T3 (0,5180g). Inicialmente, os ajustes dos nutrientes minerais foram realizados de forma individual para cada nutriente e concentração utilizados: nitrogênio (NH4NO3), com suplementação de 45,0 (N1) e 65,0 (N2) mmol L-1; fósforo (KH2PO4), com suplementação de 1,0 (P1) e 2,0 (P2) mmol L-1; cálcio (CaCl2.2H2O), com suplementação 7,5 (Ca1) e 10,0 (Ca2) mmol L-1; e Magnésio (MgSO4.7H2O), com suplementação de 1,5 (Mg1) e 4,5 (Mg2) mmol L-1. Com base nos resultados iniciais, novos ajustes para nitrogênio e cálcio foram realizados: nitrogênio (NH4NO3) e cálcio (CaCl2.2H2O), com suplementação de 45,0 e 7,5 mmol L-1 (N1Ca1), respectivamente, e suplementação de 60,0 e 7,5 mmol L-1 (N2Ca1), respectivamente. Todos os experimentos foram conduzidos em delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado (DIA); com 3 tratamentos e 4 repetições (tamanho do explante); 10 tratamentos e 3 repetições (ajuste inicial de nutrientes minerais) e 4 tratamentos e 6 repetições (ajuste final de nutrientes minerais). As características de crescimento, massas fresca e seca, porcentagem de massa seca e taxa de crescimento relativo (%) das brotações foram avaliadas semanalmente, durante os 28 dias de cultivo in vitro. As características de crescimento das brotações foram pouco afetadas pelo tamanho do explante inicial; no entanto, apresentaram deformações morfológicas em altas concentrações de nitrogênio. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram incrementos de massas seca e fresca. As porcentagens de massa seca foram menores nos tratamentos com maiores concentrações de nitrogênio (MS, N2 e N2Ca1). As maiores taxas de crescimento relativo foram observadas aos 7 dias de cultivo, e decresceram ao longo do período estudado. O meio de cultura JADS, apresentou crescimento das brotações considerado ótimo, porém não máximo. O meio de cultura MS apresentou crescimento das brotações fora dos padrões considerados ótimo e máximo. O meio de cultura JADS modificado, contendo 45,0 (N), 3,0 (P), 7,5 (Ca) e 3,0 (Mg), apresentou crescimento máximo das brotações e próximo ao ótimo. / The aim of this work was to optimize Eucalyptus globulus Labill. shoot multiplication in vitro through the definition of the initial explant size and the adjustment of mineral nutrients in the culture media. The culture media utilized were JADS (CORREIA et al., 1995), modified JADS and MS. The explants fresh weight were 0.1430 g (T1); 0.2685 g (T2) and 0.5180 g (T3). Initially, the mineral nutrient and concentrations utilized were: nitrogen (NH4NO3) with 45.0 (N1) and 60.0 (N2) mmol L-1; phosphate (KH2PO4) with 1.0 (P1) and 2.0 (P2) mmol L-1; calcium (CaCl2.2H2O) with 7.5 (Ca1) and 10.0 (Ca2) mmol L-1 and magnesium (MgSO4.7H2O) with 1.5 (Mg1) and 4.5 (Mg2) mmol L-1. Based on the initials results, new adjustments were made for nitrogen and calcium, and the concentrations utilized were (NH4NO3) and (CaCl2.2H2O) with 45.0 and 7.5 mmol L-1 (N1Ca1) and 60.0 and 7.5 mmol L-1 respectively. All the tests were carried out in a completely randomized design; with 3 treatments and 4 replicates (explant size); 10 treatments and 3 replicates (initial adjustment of mineral nutrients) and 4 treatments and 6 replicates (final mineral nutrient adjustment). The shoot growth characteristics, fresh and oven dry weight, oven dry weight percentage and relative growth rate were evaluated weekly for 28 day culture period. The explant initial size had little effect on the shoot growth characteristics. All the treatments with mineral nutrient adjustments showed fresh and oven dry weight increase. The oven dry weight percentage were lower in the treatments with high nitrogen concentrations (MS, N2 and N2Ca1). The highest relative growth rates were observed at the 7th day evaluation and lowered along the culture period. The JADS culture medium showed shoot growths considered optimum but not maximum. The MS culture medium showed shoot growths not considered optimum or maximum. The adjusted culture media with 45.0 (N), 3.0 (P), 7.5 (Ca) and 3.0 (Mg) showed shoot growth considered maximum and almost optimum.

Thesis (MTech (Horticulture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / Drosanthemum micans and Drosanthemum hallii are endangered succulent shrubs of horticultural and medicinal value. They are restricted to the Succulent Karroo, which is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The species risk extinction from illegal over-harvesting for water-wise gardens, erosion by occasional flush floods from ephemeral rivers, competition from alien invasive species, overgrazing and clearing of land for agriculture and human settlement. Although seeds and cuttings may be used in propagating these species, they often require seasonal collection and planting and cuttings struggle to establish, hence the need for in-vitro propagation as an alternative solution. Thus, the main objective of the study was to develop a method for rapid in-vitro shoot and root multiplication and acclimatization of D. micans and D. hallii. To initiate shoot formation, disinfected leaf and stem nodal explants were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (1962) media supplemented with different rates (0, 10, 20 or 30μM) of 2-isopentyladenine, 6-Benzyladenine and kinetin for D. hallii or 2-isopentyladenine, 6-Benzyladenine and Thiadiazuron for D. micans. Shoots from explants were rooted in varying rates (0, 10, 20 or 30μM) of IAA for root initiation. Three media, which were used in previous studies, were tested for acclimatization of rooted explants in i) vermiculite, ii) sand (50%): vermiculite (50%) or iii) sand (75%): perlite (25%). For quantitative evaluation of plant stress, chlorophyll fluorescence index (Fv/Fm) was measured as a proxy for plant stressf stress. It emerged that stem nodal explants of D. hallii tend to produce multiple shoots whilst leaf explants tended to produce callus when cultured in full-strength Murashige and Skoog (1962). Shoot multiplication was optimal in both D. hallii and D. micans at 10 μM of kinetin. Root formation in both D. hallii and D. micans only occurred when shoots were transferred to a full-strength Murashige and Skoog (1962) media without any phytohormones added. The intensity of tissue browning increased at higher levels of cytokinins, suggesting an interaction of plant growth regulators with exudates from explants. Different acclimatization media tested showed no significant differences in the level of stress (Fv/Fm). It is recommended that Murashige and Skoog (1962) media with10 μM kinetin be used for shoot development and multiplication, followed by transfer of the shoots to fresh full-strength Murashige and Skoog (1962) media without hormones for root development. Acclimatization of the rooted explants was possible in one of the following media: i) vermiculite, ii) sand (50%): vermiculite (50%) or iii) sand (75%): perlite (25%) and in a misted greenhouse (ca. 60% RH), with gradual weekly reductions in humidity by 10% over 2 weeks.

O objetivo deste estudo foi otimizar a multiplicação de brotações de Eucalyptus globulus Labill., por meio da definição do tamanho de explantes iniciais e de ajustes de nutrientes minerais do meio de cultura. Os meios de cultura utilizados foram o JADS (CORREIA et al., 1995), JADS modificado e o MS. Os tamanhos dos explantes foram definidos por suas massas frescas iniciais e classificados em T1 (0,1430g), T2 (0,2685g) e T3 (0,5180g). Inicialmente, os ajustes dos nutrientes minerais foram realizados de forma individual para cada nutriente e concentração utilizados: nitrogênio (NH4NO3), com suplementação de 45,0 (N1) e 65,0 (N2) mmol L-1; fósforo (KH2PO4), com suplementação de 1,0 (P1) e 2,0 (P2) mmol L-1; cálcio (CaCl2.2H2O), com suplementação 7,5 (Ca1) e 10,0 (Ca2) mmol L-1; e Magnésio (MgSO4.7H2O), com suplementação de 1,5 (Mg1) e 4,5 (Mg2) mmol L-1. Com base nos resultados iniciais, novos ajustes para nitrogênio e cálcio foram realizados: nitrogênio (NH4NO3) e cálcio (CaCl2.2H2O), com suplementação de 45,0 e 7,5 mmol L-1 (N1Ca1), respectivamente, e suplementação de 60,0 e 7,5 mmol L-1 (N2Ca1), respectivamente. Todos os experimentos foram conduzidos em delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado (DIA); com 3 tratamentos e 4 repetições (tamanho do explante); 10 tratamentos e 3 repetições (ajuste inicial de nutrientes minerais) e 4 tratamentos e 6 repetições (ajuste final de nutrientes minerais). As características de crescimento, massas fresca e seca, porcentagem de massa seca e taxa de crescimento relativo (%) das brotações foram avaliadas semanalmente, durante os 28 dias de cultivo in vitro. As características de crescimento das brotações foram pouco afetadas pelo tamanho do explante inicial; no entanto, apresentaram deformações morfológicas em altas concentrações de nitrogênio. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram incrementos de massas seca e fresca. As porcentagens de massa seca foram menores nos tratamentos com maiores concentrações de nitrogênio (MS, N2 e N2Ca1). As maiores taxas de crescimento relativo foram observadas aos 7 dias de cultivo, e decresceram ao longo do período estudado. O meio de cultura JADS, apresentou crescimento das brotações considerado ótimo, porém não máximo. O meio de cultura MS apresentou crescimento das brotações fora dos padrões considerados ótimo e máximo. O meio de cultura JADS modificado, contendo 45,0 (N), 3,0 (P), 7,5 (Ca) e 3,0 (Mg), apresentou crescimento máximo das brotações e próximo ao ótimo. / The aim of this work was to optimize Eucalyptus globulus Labill. shoot multiplication in vitro through the definition of the initial explant size and the adjustment of mineral nutrients in the culture media. The culture media utilized were JADS (CORREIA et al., 1995), modified JADS and MS. The explants fresh weight were 0.1430 g (T1); 0.2685 g (T2) and 0.5180 g (T3). Initially, the mineral nutrient and concentrations utilized were: nitrogen (NH4NO3) with 45.0 (N1) and 60.0 (N2) mmol L-1; phosphate (KH2PO4) with 1.0 (P1) and 2.0 (P2) mmol L-1; calcium (CaCl2.2H2O) with 7.5 (Ca1) and 10.0 (Ca2) mmol L-1 and magnesium (MgSO4.7H2O) with 1.5 (Mg1) and 4.5 (Mg2) mmol L-1. Based on the initials results, new adjustments were made for nitrogen and calcium, and the concentrations utilized were (NH4NO3) and (CaCl2.2H2O) with 45.0 and 7.5 mmol L-1 (N1Ca1) and 60.0 and 7.5 mmol L-1 respectively. All the tests were carried out in a completely randomized design; with 3 treatments and 4 replicates (explant size); 10 treatments and 3 replicates (initial adjustment of mineral nutrients) and 4 treatments and 6 replicates (final mineral nutrient adjustment). The shoot growth characteristics, fresh and oven dry weight, oven dry weight percentage and relative growth rate were evaluated weekly for 28 day culture period. The explant initial size had little effect on the shoot growth characteristics. All the treatments with mineral nutrient adjustments showed fresh and oven dry weight increase. The oven dry weight percentage were lower in the treatments with high nitrogen concentrations (MS, N2 and N2Ca1). The highest relative growth rates were observed at the 7th day evaluation and lowered along the culture period. The JADS culture medium showed shoot growths considered optimum but not maximum. The MS culture medium showed shoot growths not considered optimum or maximum. The adjusted culture media with 45.0 (N), 3.0 (P), 7.5 (Ca) and 3.0 (Mg) showed shoot growth considered maximum and almost optimum.

Eucalyptus trees are a significant source of fuelwood, timber and raw material for the paper and pulp industry. In South Africa, Eucalyptus grandis and its hybrids are in high demand due to their fast growth and suitability of their timber for a wide range of products. Breeding and selection for superior quality eucalypts could sustain this high demand through selection and subsequent multiplication of superior genotypes and their use in controlled crosses. However, for this to be successful, a wide genepool must be available and maintained. Germplasm conservation of both vegetative and sexual material is therefore an integral part of such activities. However, in the case of trees, in vivo conservation practices are expensive and hazardous. The aim of this project was therefore to establish alternative conservation strategies for short-to-medium and long-term use of Eucalyptus spp. to facilitate on-going breeding and clonal programmes. For short-to-medium term storage, shoot cultures were subjected to various minimal growth conditions. Of the investigated treatments, reducing nutrients was the best storage method and shoots were maintained for 10 months with multiplication rates of 13.75 ± 7.05 shoots/explant. Encapsulated axillary buds were stored in jars at 10 °C or 28 °C. Of these two treatments, viability was sustained for longer (6 months) at 4 °C. Before establishing pollen storage regimes, viability assessment methods were evaluated and these consisted of in vitro germination on a BK (Brewbaker and Kwack, 1963) medium for 24 hours (26 ± 3.0%) and staining with two tetrazolium salts. Medium-term storage of pollen was best achieved by maintenance in the fridge (4 °C) without any desiccating substance (8 months at 6.73 ± 1.21%). Cryopreservation protocols were investigated for axillary buds and pollen. Buds that were 2 mm long were pretreated with chemical cryoprotectants, and a mixture of DMSO (dimethylsulphoxide) and glycerol was found to induce high survival rates (63%) after washing with MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) and 4 g.l-1 sucrose solution. Explants precultured in 1M sucrose showed increased tolerance (explant retained high survival rates of 80%) when desiccated to 20% moisture content fresh weight basis (fwb). Although pretreatments were successfully established, explants did not survive storage in liquid nitrogen indicating the need for further optimization of protocols. Pollen was successfully cryopreserved for 12 months with 23% survival rates. Applications and future research strategies of the developed protocols to Eucalyptus breeding programmes are discussed. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1998.

Components of the South African indigenous flora are disappearing at an alarming rate, due to pressures on land use. The flora is protected by proclamation of reserves and conservation legislation, however these measures can never be wholly successful. For these reasons, methods for propagting Clivia miniata, Gloriosa superba and Sandersonia aurantiaca using in vitro techniques were investigated. The highly sought after Clivia miniata var citrina can be successfully cultured using fruit and floral explants. Use of these explants may limit the number of plants produced in culture due to the seasonal nature of flowering. Gloriosa superba and Sandersonia aurantiaca can be propagated using corm explants, with subsequent in vitro stimulation of cormlet formation. To establish a successful tissue culture procedure an integrated approach to all aspects of the culture is necessary. Sterilization techniques should be empirical and specific for each species and explant. The most critical factor in establishing a culture technique is the choice of a suitable explant. Without a suitable explant the success of the culture procedure may be severely limited. Nutritional and environmental variation may modify the explant response in culture, but initial culture response can be directly related to the origin of the explant, particularly, size, time of the year, age and physiological status. Since the discovery of colchicine in Gloriosa by CLEWER, GREEN and TUTIN (1915) a number of researchers have put forward the idea that Gloriosa would serve as a source of colchicine. The present trend in biochemical production is via artificial synthesis, however many desirable compounds still have to be extracted from plant material for biochemical production. The utilization of plant cells that are cultured in vitro provides a viable alternative to the problems involved in the production of chemical compounds. Levels of colchicine in Gloriosa and Sandersonia are very similar, in the range of ± 0,9%. From evidence presented by BELLET and GAIGNAULT (1985), levels of colchicine in the two study species is much higher than the recorded level (0,62%) of Colchicum. This higher level of the alkaloid makes these two plants a viable source for commercial colchicine production. Levels of colchicine recovered from in vitro grown roots and callus was 10 - 20 times lower than that found in -in -viv-o tissue. Levels of colchicine extracted from plantlets grown in vitro was the same as that normally recorded for parent tissue. Higher levels of colchicine in malformed roots adds to the evidence that differentiation increases colchicine production in Gloriosa tissue in vitro. It has been shown that Gloriosa and Sandersonia tissue can synthesize colchicine in vitro. The extent to which the cells synthetic capacity can be enhanced has yet to be determined. However, research into speedier and more wide ranging methods for metabolite production in culture is receiving attention throughout the world. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1988.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-05-21Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:43:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 valmorbida_j_dr_botfca.pdf: 653023 bytes, checksum: 354f212c2d30f294ce34c4e7b5512709 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Pertencente à família Meliaceae, a espécie Trichilia catigua A. Juss é conhecida popularmente como catigua, cataguá, argelim-rosa e mangalto-catingam. Sua casca apresenta propriedades adstringente, inseticida, purgativa, tônica, bactericida, antiinflamatória e antidepressiva. Com o objetivo de propagar a espécie T. catigua foram desenvolvidos experimentos testando o enraizamento de estacas e a micropropagação com explantes de matrizes e sementes. Os experimentos de enraizamento de estacas foram realizados na primavera 2004, verão 2004/2005, outono, inverno e primavera 2005 e primavera 2006. Em todos os experimentos, estacas com aproximadamente 15 cm de comprimento foram coletadas de árvores adultas e preparadas da parte apical e mediana dos ramos. A seguir, foram submetidas aos reguladores vegetais IBA (ácido indolbutírico), NAA (ácido naftalenoacético) e IAA (ácido 3-indolacético), variando as dosagens. Para a avaliação dos experimentos determinou-se a percentagem de estacas enraizadas, não enraizadas e mortas e quando enraizadas, seu comprimento e diâmetro. No experimento primavera de 2004 foram testadas as concentrações de 1000 e 2000 mg L-1 dos reguladores vegetais IBA, NAA e IAA. As avaliações aos 90 dias após sua instalação revelaram maiores percentagens de enraizamento e iguais a 33,33, 25,00, 22,91 e 23,43 % para estacas submetidas a IBA 1000, 2000 mg L-1 e NAA 1000 e 2000 mg L-1, respectivamente. No verão 2004/2005, outono, inverno e primavera 2005 os experimentos foram conduzidos com as concentrações dos reguladores IBA, NAA e IAA iguais a 1000, 2000 e 3000 mg L-1 e as avaliações foram realizadas após 120 dias. Não houve enraizamento no outono e inverno. A análise conjunta dos resultados obtidos na primavera e no verão mostrou percentagem de enraizamento superior na primavera. A maior percentagem de enraizamento, igual a 19,17%... / The Trichilia catigua A. Juss from the Meliaceae family is popularly known as catigua, cataguá, argelim-rose and mangalto-catingam. Its bark has astringent, insecticide, purgativa, tonic, bactericide, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties. With the aim of propagate T. catigua, experiments of rooting with stem cuttings and of micropropagation with explants of trees and seeds were carried out. In all the rooting experiments the stem cuttings with approximately 15 cm of length were collected from adult trees and prepared from the apical and intermediate parts. The cuttings were immersed in the vegetable regulators IBA (Indole-3- butyric acid), ANA (Naphthalene acetic acid) and IAA (Indole-3 acetic acid). The rooted stem cutting and not rooted stem cutting percentage and, when rooted, the length and diameter of roots, were evaluated. In the experiment spring 2004 the concentrations of 1000 and 2000 mg L-1 of IBA, ANA and IAA were tested, with evaluations 90 days after installation. The highest rooting percentage were 33,33, 25,00, 22,91 and 23,43% for IBA 1000, 2000 mg L-1 and ANA 1000 and 2000 mg L-1, respectively. In the summer of 2004/2005, autumn, winter and spring of 2005 IBA, ANA and AIA, with concentration of 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg L-1, were tested. The evaluation was carried out at 120 days. No rooting was observed in autumn and winter. The analysis of data from summer and spring showed higher rooting percentage in spring. The highest rooting percentage was obtained with IBA 3000 mg L-1 (19,17%). In the spring 2006 IBA (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 mg L-1) and ANA (1000, 2000, 3000 mg L-1) were tested. The highest rooting percentage (41,67%) was obtained with IBA 5000 mg L-1. In the in vitro cultivation, explantes obtained from trees were submitted to asepsis treatments with HgCl2, CaOCl2 and NaOCl and inoculated in Murashige & Skoog culture medium (MS) with 25%... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)