Vegetative propagation

The harvest of fruits and seeds of Feijoa sellowiana and Eugenia involucrata in northeastern Argentina is based on a phenotypic selection of natural and urban trees, which underutilizes their genetic potential. This practice, initially effective, is now insufficient to meet the growing demand. Both species, valuable for their fruits and ecological role, require integrated conservation strategies due to habitat fragmentation. The article describes the development of in vitro and ex vitro biotechnological techniques for the propagation of these species, improving the availability and quality of fruits. Techniques include axillary shoot multiplication and direct organogenesis from in vitro-germinated seedling explants, as well as ex vitro propagation through minicepas and mini-stakes. These methods have shown high efficiency in plant production with a high rooting and survival rate in greenhouses. The integration of these techniques allows for the conservation of genetic diversity and the production of elite plants, facilitating the domestication and sustainable conservation of these phytogenetic resources. Collaboration between institutions and producers is key to the success of this approach, ensuring long-term sustainability.