Micropropagation of the native species Anthurium antioquiense Engl. for conservation purposes

Anthurium antioquiense Engl. is a native plant belonging to the Araceae family. It grows on rocks in clear-water rivers and well-protected zones, similar to the waters in certain watersheds of the Antioquia Department, Colombia. Loss of habitat has threatened this promising ornamental plant species, which is also important because of its role in the ecosystem. In vitro tissue culture is considered an efficient alternative for the propagation of endangered species with the aim of establishing short-, medium- and long-term conservation programs. In the present research, in vitro introduction and shoot induction from A. antioquiense seedlings were performed. The highest production of shoots was obtained in a ½ MS (half-salt content) medium with 1 mg L -1 of BAP, which attained a 23.7 shoots/explant per month multiplication rate. The in vitro plants generated from shoots were individualized and transferred to a growth regulator-free medium. Rooting did not require the presence of growth regulators, and the adaptation of the in vitro plants to ex vitro conditions achieved a 98% survival rate.