In vitro cultivation of Anacardium othonianum Rizz.: effects of salt concentration and culture medium volume

Anacardium othonianum Rizz. is a medicinal plant species that is native to the Brazilian savannah. Adult plants are different from other genus members in this ecosystem due to their size, and efforts to locate the plants may lead to their extraction from the savannah and, frequently, plant death. Micropropagation has played a significant role in the propagation and preservation of specimens of several plant species; therefore, this study evaluated the effect of various salt concentrations and culture medium volumes on the in vitro cultivation of A. othonianum Rizz. Trial (I) evaluated two culture media (MS and WPM) and three salt concentrations (100, 50 and 25%) in a completely randomized design. Trial (II) evaluated two culture media and salt concentrations, MS (50%) and WPM (100%), and five medium volumes (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mL per test tube) as a 2 x 5 factorial in a completely randomized design. After 30 and 60 days of growth, the percentage of plantlet survival, average plantlet and leaf lengths and the average number of leaves and buds per explant were evaluated. The MS (50 and 25%) media and WPM (100 and 50%) media were the most effective for plantlet regeneration. The best responses were observed in 15- and 25-mL volumes of the MS (50%) medium. Therefore, the use of a 15-mL volume is suggested for greater medium economy.