Callus induction in leaf segments of Croton urucurana Baill

Abstract

Croton urucurana Baill., a species belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, can be useful in the recovery of degraded riparian areas. In the traditional medicine, it is widely used as cicatrizant and in the treatment of rheumatism. However, its seeds present dormancy and low viability, making the propagation of this species a challenge. With the objective of establishing an alternative route for the propagation, the effect of different concentrations of 2,4-D (2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) with BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) or TDZ (thidiazuron) and of NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid) with BAP and their possible combinations were evaluated for callus induction in leaf segments. Callus fresh mass was evaluated forty-five days after inoculation. The isolated use of BAP and the combination of NAA with BAP did not promote calogenesis in leaf segments. Even though the combination of 2,4-D with BAP or TDZ had induced the formation of callus, it was the isolated use of 2,4-D that provided the highest callus fresh mass.