In vitro organogenesis and efficient plant regeneration from root explants of Passiflora suberosa L. (Passifloraceae)

Abstract

The neotropical genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae) contains over 500 species of plants, including the commercially important passion fruit. Most of the literature on tissue culture of this genus is devoted to passion fruit or closely related species belonging to subgenus Passiflora. Nevertheless, some species belonging to subgenus Decaloba might also be commercially important, such as Passiflora suberosa, which has recognized medicinal importance. This report describes a highly efficient method for in vitro plant regeneration of P. suberosa obtained via organogenesis, using root segments as explants. The highest number of regenerated plants per explant was obtained using Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 9 μM 6-benzyladenine. There was a clear effect of the combination of different concentrations of 6-benzyladenine and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid on the in vitro morphogenetic responses of P. suberosa root explants. These different responses were characterized using light and electron microscopy. These results should be useful for the rapid micropropagation of P. suberosa and, above all, for the implementation of biotechnological methodologies in Passiflora species belonging to subgenus Decaloba.