Abstract

MARTINEZ-HERNANDEZ, María de Jesús et al. Tissue culture of citrus rootstocks tolerant to citrus tristeza virus, using inert substrates as substitutes for agar. INCI [online]. 2006, vol.31, n.8, pp.616-619. ISSN 0378-1844.

Effects of the substrates agrolite, vermiculite, tezontle as substitutes for agar were evaluated on seed germination, shoot proliferation, rooting, and survival of the seedlings of the citrus ‘tristeza’ virus (CTV) tolerant rootstocks Citrus volkameriana, Citrumelo swingle and Citrange 35. The medium used was Murashige and Skoog (MS), which for shoot proliferation was supplemented with 3% saccharose, vitamins, and 1mg·l^-1 BAP. Rooting was achieved using half strength of MS medium and saccharose, supplemented with 2.5mg·l^-1 of IBA and vitamins. Seed germination, shoot proliferation, and rooting were 96-100, 95-100 and 93-100%, respectively, in the three substrates and did not differ from the value of 95-100% in agar (P>0.05). Survival was higher (P<0.05) from seedlings obtained in the substrates (91-100%) than in the agar (48-51%). The substrates evaluated can be used instead of agar as a support in tissue culture, being less expensive and increasing seedling survival.

Keywords : Agrolita ; Citrange 35 ; Citrus volkameriana ; Citrumelo swingle ; Cultivo de Tejidos; Vermiculita ; Tezontle .