Abstract
Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the viability of the micrografting of yellow dragon fruit (Selenicereus megalanthus) on different rootstocks, based on DNA content and anatomical analyses. The used rootstocks were: yellow dragon fruit, white dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), Saborosa (Selenicereus setaceus) dragon fruit, and the Cebra and Orejona red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) varieties. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and four replicates of five plants. After 30 days of cultivation, the following traits were evaluated: length and diameter of the micrografts and microrootstocks; and root length, percentage of setting, and fresh mass of the micrografts. Flow cytometry analyzes were performed before and after micrografting to verify genetic stability and the occurrence of endoreduplication. In addition, histological sections were made in the micrografting region to verify the connections of vessels and tissues between the graft and the rootstock. Endoreduplication was observed in all treatments. The amount of DNA in the yellow dragon fruit micrograft increased on the red Orejona variety. The presence of vessel connections was verified between the micrografts and microrootstocks. The yellow dragon fruit was also more vigorous when grafted on Orejona. Based on DNA content and anatomical analyses, in vitro yellow dragon fruit micrografting is feasible in all used rootstocks.
Highlights
Dragon fruit belongs to the Cactaceae family and originates from subtropical and tropical America (Marques et al, 2011)
The objective of this work was to evaluate the viability of the micrografting of yellow dragon fruit (Selenicereus megalanthus) on different rootstocks, based on DNA content and anatomical analyses
The amount of DNA in the yellow dragon fruit micrograft increased on the red Orejona variety
Summary
Dragon fruit belongs to the Cactaceae family and originates from subtropical and tropical America (Marques et al, 2011). The term dragon fruit refers to species whose fruits are covered in scales that resemble those of a dragon (Ibrahim et al, 2018) Among these species, two belong to the genus Hylocereus, characterized by large and attractive-colored fruits: Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose, which has fruits with red skin and white pulp (Le Bellec et al, 2006); and Hylocereus polyrhizus (Weber) Britton & Rose, which has fruits with red skin and pulp (Jamilah et al, 2011). In the field, this latter species suffers the attack of phytopathogens, such as nematodes, and shows cladodes with low vigor, i.e., thinner than those of plants of the genus Hyloreceus (Nascimento et al, 2020) Dragon fruit of this genus, besides showing vigorous growth, tolerates humid soils and the Meloidogyne incognita (Palacino, 1990) nematode, both important characteristics for a good rootstock. The Saborosa variety appears to be a potentially viable alternative for cultivation in stony, sandy, and rocky soils due to its rustic character (Junqueira et al, 2010)
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