In vitro propagation of nidularium fulgens

Nidularium fulgens Lem. is a native bromeliad species of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, used in gardens and vases. Like other bromeliad species, plants are extracted from their environment in order to be commercialized. This study tested different concentrations of growth regulators on the in vitro propagation of N. fulgens. Pre-established in vitro seedlings were inoculated in MS culture medium with BA (6-benzylaminopurine) added at the concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0mg·l-1 in combination with NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid) at 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0mg·l-1 (experiment 1), and with TDZ (thidiazuron) at 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1mg·l-1 in combination with NAA at 0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0mg·l-1 (experiment 2). The combination of auxins and cytokinins, especially TDZ, is important for micropro-pagation of N. fulgens. Higher numbers of shoots were obtained when 0.02mg·l-1 TDZ plus 0.5 or 0.1mg·l-1 NAA or MS medium was supplemented with 1.0mg·l-1 BA and 0.1mg·l-1 NAA. The occurrence of shoots longer than 1.0cm was optimized when MS medium was supplemented with 0.02mg·l-1 TDZ and 0.5mg·l-1 NAA. Roots were not observed when BA or TDZ were added to the MS culture medium. Plants over 2.0cm were acclimatized, resulting in a 100% survival rate. The use of the produced plants is suggested for in vitro preservation programs of endangered populations.