In vitro micrografting of Theobroma cacao (Malvaceae) genotypes
Keywords:
acclimatization ex vitro, cacao, in vitro grafting, clonal propagationAbstract
The in vitro culture of Theobroma cacao has been limited due to the poor shoot growth and rooting which is why the species is considered recalcitrant in tissue culture. Bud micrografting could be an alternative in obtaining plants by biotechnological methods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro grafting of different cacao genotypes and acclimatization of plants obtained by micrografting method. Cuban traditional cacao genotypes were used as scions and commercial genotypes were the rootstocks. The grafting method was side graft with apical bud from young plants. Success rates ranging 61-86.6 % and growth of buds were observed in micrografts of three traditional genotypes onto the same rootstock until the week nine. A similar response (91100 %) was obtained in different combinations scion-rootstock and there were not significant differences in the responses of the genotypes to the micrografting. Acclimatization of micrografted plants to ex vitro conditions was successful with survival percentages ranging 64-85 %. The micrografting of these genotypes allowed obtaining viable rooted plants as a complement to the traditional vegetative propagation with application in germplasm conservation of cacao.
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