Abstract
Zinnia elegans Jacquim is a species of big cutting and ornamental potential, but its seeds have low germination percentage. This study aimed to establish a protocol for in vitro germination and water content for the cryopreservation of seeds. The length, width, thickness, and weight of one thousand seeds were determined. MS and WPM culture mediums, as well as the concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) were tested regarding in vitro culture. For cryopreservation, the seeds were subjected to drying on silica gel or laminar flow for different times. Then, the seeds were stored in liquid nitrogen (-196° C) for 24 hours. After this period, the seeds were thawed and inoculated into culture medium. The biometric results of seeds showed 8.6 mm average length, 4 mm width, and 0.9 mm thickness. The weight of one thousand seeds was 851 mg, characterizing them as small, lightweight, and easy to disperse. The use of MS medium with no addition of GA3 enhanced germination (67%). The initial moisture content of Z. elegans seeds was 9%. Seeds subjected up to 2 hours of drying in both treatments obtained 23% germination in silica gel and 19% in laminar flow. Z. elegans seeds may be desiccated by 4% moisture content and cryopreserved with no loss of germination potential.
Highlights
The production of flowers and ornamental plants has been increasing in Brazil in recent years due to the enlargement of consumption in developed countries, mostly because of the expansion in Brazilian domestic market (MELO et al, 2014)
Among ornamental plants with cutting potential, Z. elegans stands out since it presents a wide variety of colors, flowers, and petal format (TORRES, 1963) as well as the possibility to be grown throughout the year (STIMART et al, 1987)
Z. elegans seeds germinated in MS medium from the 13th day on
Summary
The production of flowers and ornamental plants has been increasing in Brazil in recent years due to the enlargement of consumption in developed countries, mostly because of the expansion in Brazilian domestic market (MELO et al, 2014). According to the estimates of Instituto Brasileiro de Floricultura (IBRAFLOR, 2013), the growth of the floriculture sector was from 10 to 15% in the last years, revolving around 4.4 billion Brazilian reals a year It requires more and more investment in technology and farming techniques to maximize the ornamental flower production seeking phytosanitary quality and long-term investment in storage of species with high annual demand, increasing the production of seedlings, leaves, and flowers which satisfactorily meet the market requirements. Z. elegans seeds usually have low germination percentage notedly when it is directly sowed on field. In such conditions, the highest germination and vigor were achieved after 50 days following anthesis with 45% germination (GUIMARÃES et al, 1998). The use of in vitro cultivation techniques may improve the germination rate in a shorter period of time, using less space to obtain more uniform seedlings and better phytosanitary quality (CARVALHO et al, 2012)
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