Induction and maturation of somatic embryogenesis in mangaba tree a multipurpose Apocynaceae

This study reported the first results of in vitro somatic embryogenesis induction in Hancornia speciosa Gomes (mangaba tree, Apocynaceae). To induce callus, the TC accession leaf and nodal segments were cultivated in culture medium I (Murashige and Skoog; MS salts, putrescine, 45 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; 2,4-D and 22.19 µM 6-benzylaminopurine; BA). For the next stage (multiplication), the callus masses were sub-cultured into a culture medium II (MS salts, 22.62 µM 2,4-D and 22.19 µM BA). After 90 days, embryogenic calluses were inoculated to somatic embryo maturation medium culture III (MS salts, polyethylene glycol; PEG (0 and 2%) and BA (44.39 and 66.58 µM). Pro-embryos and somatic embryos in the maturation stage were assessed after 60 days. The rstatix package from R software with non-parametric tests (p < 0.05) were used to analysis data of experiments I and II. The Tukey’s test (p < 0.05) was performed on the data of experiment III. To induce and multiply embryogenic callus, 45 µM 2,4-D and 22.19 µM BA were efficient. More pro- and somatic embryo development were seen in the nodal explant cultured in the presence of 44.39 and 66.58 µM BA and 2% PEG. Putrescine does not promote the embryogenic masses of callus derived from leaf explants in the TC accession. Keywords: Hancornia speciosa Gomes, micropropagation, somatic embryo.