In vitro propagation of purple-fleshed pitahaya (Selenicereus costaricensis) genotypes from seeds and areoles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17268/Keywords:
exotic crop, in vitro propagation, explant rooting, quality plantlets, nutraceutical valueAbstract
Purple-fleshed pitahaya is an exotic crop with growing agro-industrial potential, but its conventional propagation is limited by genetic variability, restricted availability of plant material, and slow crop growth. The objective of this research, conducted in two phases at the laboratory level, was to develop an alternative in vitro propagation method for purple-fleshed pitahaya genotypes from seeds and areoles to promote its cultivation in the province of Manabí. In the multiplication phase, two completely randomized trials with a factorial arrangement of auxin and cytokinin doses were performed in Murashige & Skoog culture medium. In the explant rooting phase, in the two completely randomized trials, auxin and cytokinin doses, as well as two levels of activated charcoal, were tested. The combination of 0 mg/L of auxin (IAA) and 2 mg/L of cytokinin (BAP) proved to be the optimal multiplication dose for both seeds and areoles. It was also determined that a mixture containing 0.50 mg/L of auxins (NAA) and 0.50 mg/L of cytokinins (BAP) promotes a better response in terms of the number and length of shoots. In the rooting of explants derived from seeds and areoles, the best response was achieved with 0.20 g/L of activated charcoal, 0.50 mg/L of auxins, and 0.50 mg/L of cytokinins, with significant effects on the number and length of roots, as well as on fresh weight, resulting in plantlets with high nutraceutical value.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Elvis Loor-Marcillo, Andreina Armijos-Gaspar, Luis Duicela-Guambi, Veris Saldarriaga-Lucas
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