In Vitro Propagation of Echeveria elegans, a Species of the Flora Endangered Mexican

The genus Echeveria has about 143 species that are unique to the Americas, 117 of which are presented in the Mexican Republic, mainly in the states of Hidalgo, Puebla and Oaxaca. Propagation can be done by cuttings, leaf cuttings or seeds, but these methods are insufficient to avoid the predation of many species. NOM-059-ECOL-2001 shows Echeveria elegans as species reported endangered. The objectives in this study were achieved in vitro propagation from axillary buds, as an alternative to multiplication and preservation species. We evaluated different concentrations and combinations of two growth regulators, 6-BAP (2.22, 4.44, 6.66 and 8.88 µM) and α-NAA (1.35 and 2.70 µM) on shoot formation from axillary buds and two culture media with different concentrations of MS salts, to achieve root plants grown in vitro. It was found by combining 6.66 µM of 6-BAP and 1.35 µM of α-NAA favored the formation and development of new shoots. In the rooting stage, the best results are achieved with the treatment containing 50% of MS salts. Then the plants were transplanted into greenhouses and achieved a successful acclimatization. During this last phase of development, there were no phenotypic changes or presence of somaclonal variants.