Effect of meta-Topolin on the in vitro Propagation of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch)

Objective: Strawberry cultivation (Fragaria sp.) is globally relevant due to the appeal of its fruit and its organoleptic characteristics, which increase its demand. However, it is necessary to implement new propagation methods that allow the establishment of commercial plantations, such as plant micropropagation, in order to obtain thousands of plants in a reduced period of time. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of meta-Topolin (mT) during the in vitro multiplication of strawberries. Design/Methodology/Approach: In vitro strawberry plants were used in MS medium with 30 g L-1 of sucrose, evaluating concentrations of meta-Topolin (mT: 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg L-1) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP: 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg L-1), under conditions of 24 ± 2 °C and a photoperiod of 16:8 h light/darkness. Results: mT increased the number of shoots compared to BAP, with 1.0 mg/L yielding 4.72 shoots per explant and 1.5 mg/L yielding 3.50. At 1.5 mg/L, the shoots reached 3.41 cm. The roots formed during multiplication facilitated acclimatization. Limitations/Implications: Although the use of meta-Topolin showed promising results in the in vitro multiplication of strawberries, its performance needs to be evaluated in later developmental stages, field growth, and response to different environmental conditions. Findings/Conclusions: mT increased the number of shoots compared to BAP, with 1.0 mg L-1 yielding 4.72 shoots per explant and 1.5 mg L-1 yielding 3.50. At 1.5 mg L-1, the shoots reached 3.41 cm. The roots formed during multiplication facilitated acclimatization.