Abstract
Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) RM Smith) can be propagated in vitro, but there is currently little information about the stages of acclimatization and adaptation for torch ginger in a greenhouse. The objective was to study the growth responses, survival and photosynthetic response during the acclimatization of plants maintained on three different substrates (Plantmax forestry ® , sand and 1:1 Plantmax forestry ® and sand) under three shading conditions (50% red and blue shading nets and control without shading nets). The highest leaf and shoot numbers per plant and survival rate were observed in treatments with the Plantmax forestry ® type substrate in the absence of shading. In vitro culture plants behaved similarly or better than rhizome propagated control plants with regard to the net photosynthesis rate, carboxylation efficiency, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. In general, for both conditions, in vitro and control plants had similar efficiency of biochemical functions and of photosystem II. These results show that plants derived from in vitro culture exhibit satisfactory physiological yield and greenhouse acclimation capacity.
Highlights
Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) RM Smith) belongs to the family Zingiberaceae; it has large red or pink inflorescences and is attractive and valued in the ornamental and landscaping plant sectors
The growth of torch ginger during the acclimatization process was gradual and steady; the growth curves stabilized at certain periods of cultivation
The lowest plant height (98 mm) was observed for plantlets acclimatized in sand and placed under blue shading nets
Summary
Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) RM Smith) belongs to the family Zingiberaceae; it has large red or pink inflorescences and is attractive and valued in the ornamental and landscaping plant sectors. Torch ginger is produced in tropical or subtropical regions, in full sun or partially shaded locations, and is currently propagated by seeds and rhizomes (UNEMOTO et al, 2012). Due to the competitive nature of the market and demands of producers and consumers, recent research has focused on the development of healthy plants with phytosanitary control using in vitro propagation techniques (COLOMBO et al, 2010; LIMA-BRITO et al, 2011; PÊGO et al, 2013). Plants grown in vitro undergo various anatomical and Maringá, v. The special environmental conditions inside the culture vessels and heterotrophic nutrition may generate anomalies at both anatomical and functional levels, such as hyperhydricity, poor water loss control, low photosynthesis, difficulty rooting and low functionality, in plants propagated using in vitro techniques (BADR; DESJARDINS, 2007; SANTANA et al, 2011b)
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