Callus induction and pro-embryogenic mass formation in Myrciaria dubia , an important medicinal and nutritional plant

Abstract: Cacari is a fruit tree that is native to the Amazon region of Brazil. The fruit is considered to have the highest vitamin C content of any edible fruit (13.757 mg 100 g-1 dry weight). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2,4-D and 6-BAP alone or in combination on in vitro callus induction and pro-embryogenic mass formation in cacari stem segments in different culture media as a precursor for cacari micropropagation. The experiment consisted of two culture media (MS and WPM) and combinations of four concentrations of 2,4-D (0, 1, 2 and 4 mg L-1) and BAP (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg L-1). The results showed that the highest percentage of callus formation (99%) was obtained in WPM supplemented with 4 mg L-1, 2,4-D and 1 mg L-1 BAP, and this combination resulted in 93% pro-embryogenic mass formation.