Alternatives to Conventional Propagation: in Vitro Germination of Pleroma spp. Seeds as A Strategy For Conservation and Seedling Production

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of in vitro seed germination of Pleroma granulosum, Pleroma heteromallum, and Pleroma mutabile, with the goal of optimizing their germination rates. Theoretical Framework: Species of the Pleroma genus, known for their ornamental and ecological value, face challenges in seed propagation and are commonly multiplied through vegetative methods such as cutting and air layering. These techniques are limited by low production scale and difficulties in maintaining the phytosanitary quality of seedlings. In vitro germination thus emerges as a promising alternative to overcome these limitations. Method: The seeds were subjected to four treatments: T1 – Multiplant® substrate; T2 – germitest® paper; T3 – vermiculite; and T4 – MS medium, under controlled temperature (25 ± 1°C) and a 16-hour photoperiod, except for T1, which was conducted in a greenhouse, for a period of 21 days. Results and Discussion: Results indicated low efficiency of the Multiplant® substrate, possibly due to unfavorable environmental conditions. In contrast, in vitro germination in MS medium showed the highest germination rates for all species, followed by vermiculite, which performed well especially for P. granulosum and P. heteromallum. Research Implications: The results indicate the potential of in vitro germination as a strategy for the conservation and cultivation of Pleroma species, highlighting new possibilities for propagation through biotechnological methods. Originality/Value: This research is pioneering in comparing the in vitro germination performance of seeds from these three species, providing a foundation for optimizing cultivation conditions and expanding knowledge on their propagation.