MICROPROPAGATION OF ERVA-MATE (Ilex paraguariensis St. Mil.)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop a micropropagation protocol for maté, which included the following experiments: I) Exam of culture medium contamination by microorganisms and in vitro development of explants; II) Pre-treatment of donor plants with the fungicides mancozeb and benomyl, amendment of ANA culture medium with various leveis of benomyl and rifampicin; III) Development of erva-mate explants in culture medium with different rates of cytokinin (BAP); IV) Mass propagation and root development of explants in two culture media (with agar + IBA or vermiculita + IBA). The fungi Alternaria sp. and Colletotrichum sp. were identified contam inating micropropagated explants and causing plant death. Bacteria were also found but they did not affect explant development. Pre-treatment of donor plants with fungicide reduced in vitro contamination by 90%. The use of 0.2 to 0.8 mg BAP in the culture medium did not stimulate shoot formation and did not influence leaf number. The rooting medium with IBA and vermiculita was more efficient on elongation and subsequent root emission.