Abstract

MATEHUS, Juan; ROMAY, Gustavo  and  SANTANA, María A. In vitro micropropagation of cocoyam and taro. Agronomía Trop. [online]. 2006, vol.56, n.4, pp.607-613. ISSN 0002-192X.

Cocoyam, Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott and taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott are edible herbaceous plants of the Aracea family. They grow in the tropics and their modified stems or corms, are consumed as a staple due to their high starch content. The most common reproduction method for these species is by vegetative cuttings, with low propagation rates and disease dissemination, requiring the procurement of pathogen free plants of both species. The aim of this work was to study optimal conditions for in vitro micropropagation of cocoyam and taro plants. In order to reach the aim, corms of both species were surface sterilized with dish liquid detergent, alcohol and bleach (2,5%). To establish the species in vitro, meristems were cultured in MS-2% sucrose and 0,1 mg l^-1 BA - 0,01 mg l^-1 NAA. Shoot proliferation was induced in MS-2% sucrose media supplemented with 1 mg l^-1 BA, 2 mg l^-1 BA, 1 mg l^-1 BA-3 mg l¹ AG3, 1 mg l^-1 BA-0,05 mg l^-1 GA3-0,02 mg l^-1 NAA y 1 mg l^-1 BA-0,5 mg l¹ GA3-0,02 mg l^-1 NAA. Results showed that the best proliferation rates were obtained with MS-2% sucrose -1 mg l^-1 BA. Similar multiplication rates were obtained for both species (4,6-4,7 plants/explant/4 weeks). The methodology presented in this paper allowed the maintenance of cocoyam and taro for more than four years.

Keywords : Micropropagation; in vitro culture; Xanthosoma sagittifolium; Colocasia esculenta.