Vernonia condensata Baker: an alternative for large-scale seedling production

Lilia Vieira Da Silva Almeida,Claudia Cecilia Blaszkowski De Jacobi,Mariane De Jesus Da Silva De Carvalho Carvalho,Vania Jesus Dos Santos De Oliveira,Weliton Antonio Bastos De Almeida

doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20180941

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The increasing use of Vernonia condensata Baker highlights the importance of developing strategies to reduce the impact of exploitation on nature reserves. The aim of this study was to establish a micropropagation protocol to produce homogenous plants with high phytosanitary quality. Apical, nodal, and internodal segments of plants grown in the field were used for in vitro growth. The segments were disinfected in sodium hypochlorite solution (1.0 and 2.0%) for 15 and 30 minutes and then transferred to Petri dishes containing MS culture medium for 30 days. A completely randomized factorial experiment (3 x 2 x 2) with five replicates was designed. After this period, a completely randomized in vitro multiplication experiment was carried out with six treatments (BAP - 0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; 2.5 mg L-1) and six replicates. The shoots obtained in the best treatment were transferred to flasks with rooting medium (MS, MS/2 or MS/4). The experiment was completely randomized with 12 replicates. Microplants were acclimatized in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles filled with autoclaved topsoil. Our results showed that 40.0% of the nodal segments (immersed in 1.0% sodium hypochlorite for 30 minutes) were adequately disinfected and survived. In the in vitro multiplication experiment, the 0.5 mg L-1 concentration of BAP yielded the highest number of shoots and the best vegetative growth. With regard to the assessed characteristics, MS/4 was the best rooting medium, with 100% survival during acclimatization. This study showed that V. condensata in vitro culture might produce 32,000 seedlings in 7 months.

Highlights

The use of plants with therapeutic properties has been increasingly recognized by society due to the search for healthier practices and the challenges encountered in treating some diseases, such as microbial resistance (BUGNO et al, 2005).Phytotherapy has adapted to the reality and the need of many municipalities for basic health care
The explants were washed three times in autoclaved distilled water after the disinfection treatment. They were transferred to Petri dishes (90 x 15 mm) containing 20 mL of MS culture medium (MURASHIGE & SKOOG, 1962) supplemented with 30 g L-1 of sucrose and solidified with 8 g L-1 of agar, and the pH was adjusted to 5.8 before autoclaving (121 oC for 20 minutes)
The concentration of 1.0% sodium hypochlorite combined with 30 minutes of immersion ensures the survival and development of explants

Summary

Introduction

The use of plants with therapeutic properties has been increasingly recognized by society due to the search for healthier practices and the challenges encountered in treating some diseases, such as microbial resistance (BUGNO et al, 2005).Phytotherapy has adapted to the reality and the need of many municipalities for basic health care. V.50, n.3, The National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the Public Health System (Relação Nacional de Plantas Medicinais de Interesse ao Sistema Único de Saúde – RENISUS) currently contains 71 species, including Vernonia condensata Baker (BRASIL, 2010). This plant is commonly known in Brazil as alumã (VICENTE et al, 2009) and boldo-da-bahia (AFONSO et al, 2015), among other names. It belongs to the family Asteraceae and has been used since colonial times to treat gastrointestinal problems and because of its analgesic properties (BOORHEM, 1999)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion