Micropropagation of Turbinicarpus laui Glass et Foster, an endemic and endangered species

In a short period of time, a large number of adventitious shoots were regenerated from longitudinal sections of in vitro-germinated seedlings of the endangered Mexican cactus, Turbinicarpus laui. The induction medium consisted of Murashige and Skoog salts, supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in a wide range of combinations. The most effective concentrations of growth regulators for shoots initiation were 8.8–13.32 μM BA with 0–2.68 μM NAA. After 3–4 mo., individualized shoots were rooted on half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium and then transferred to soil to acclimatize under greenhouse conditions. In vitro strategies play a key role in the conservation and propagation of this commercially important endangered species of cactus.