Acclimation of Agave potatorum Zucc. micropropagated plants

Abstract

Objective: Agave potatorum Zucc. is an intensively exploited wild plant species. We intend to evaluate how the concentration of mineral salts (MS), indole-butyric acid (IBA), and the incubation conditions affect in vitro-rooted A. potatorum during acclimation. Design/Methodology/Approach: We conducted 18 treatments that resulted from combining three factors: 1) MS concentrations (50%, 75%, and 100%); 2) IBA concentrations (without auxin, 0.5 mg L-1, and 1 mg L-1); and 3) incubation environments (fluorescent lighting in a laboratory or exposure to solar radiation in a greenhouse). Thirteen plants from each treatment were transplanted into individual pots containing a 1:1 mixture of peat moss and perlite. These were placed in the acclimation greenhouse for 150 days, exposed to changes in solar radiation, starting from 600 µmol m-2 s-1 and conditions of high relative humidity (80-90%), and reaching outdoor conditions with full solar radiation,1400 ±200 µmol m-2 s-1. All in vitro culture plants, both in greenhouse and laboratory, underwent the same environmental and management conditions. Results: After 150 days of acclimation, plants micropropagated in a culture medium with 0.5 to 1 mg L-1 of IBA, 100% MS, and incubated in a greenhouse showed better growth. Study limitations/Implications: The in vitro culture protocol was (successfully) modified by providing solar radiation in a greenhouse during the rooting of A. potatorum sprouts. Findings/Conclusions: Solar radiation during in vitro incubation of A. potatorum favors its acclimation.