Establecimiento y multiplicación in vitro de Citrus aurantifolia Christm. Swing. var. `Mexicana' a partir de semillas

Citrus fruits are crops with high economic and medicinal value. The creole lime ( Citrus aurantifolia Christm. Swing) var. `Mexican' is widely consumed in Cuba but the incidence of pests and diseases has affected its production. The aim of this work was to achieve its establishment and in vitro multiplication. Seeds from mature fruits were disinfected with NaOCl (0.5, 1.0, 1.5%) and different immersion times (5, 10 and 20 minutes). At 7 days the number of explants contaminated with microorganisms, with necrosis and alive was quantified. Subsequently the effect of growth regulators on the establishment stage (6-BAP, GA 3 and IBA) and in multiplication stage (6-BAP, GA 3 ) was determined. The results indicated that the sodium hypochlorite was effective in disinfection of seeds and in its survival. With 1% NaOCl for 20 min the best results were obtained. It was shown that for seed germination adding growth regulators is not required but for multiplication the inclusion of 1.0 mg l -1 GA 3 and 2.0 mg l -1 6-BAP yielded higher number of shoots and coefficient multiplication. The established protocol could be used in future studies of plant breeding. Key words : micropropagation, nodal cutting, plant growth regulators