Evaluación de métodos de desinfección para el establecimiento in vitro de explantes de joyapa (Macleania rupestris)

Abstract

Macleania rupestris is a wild fruit belonging to the Ericaceae family. Its fruit is a globular berry with good nutritional qualities, making it potentially attractive for commercial cultivation. However, the lack of an appropriate protocol for propagating this species is one of the obstacles preventing its use as a commercial crop. The efficacy of a fungicide and a foliar fertilizer in cleaning and inducing sprouting in Macleania rupestris cuttings was evaluated. In vivo treatment with fungicide significantly reduced fungal contamination in the cuttings compared to the control treatment. Furthermore, application of foliar fertilizer to the cuttings more than doubled the sprouting percentage compared to the control. For in vitro establishment of explants, six disinfection treatments were evaluated, with the most effective being treatments that included hypochlorite and 1% povidone-iodine, both without including fungicide in the culture medium. In vivo treatment with the fungicide had a positive influence on the production of fungus-free explants, but not when the fungicide was included in the culture medium, as it could not control fungal contamination in vitro. Regarding contamination, in addition to fungi, bacteria were present in all treatments. These two contaminants are a major problem to control during the in vitro establishment of Macleania rupestris.