Temporary immersion improves in vitro multiplication and acclimatization of Anthurium andreanum Lind.

Abstract A lack of automation and the high production costs entailed by the use of labor and a gelling agent limit micropropagation on a commercial scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporary immersion (TI) technique in in vitro multiplication and acclimatization of Anthurium andreanum cv. Rosa. Nodal segments from in vitro -derived adventitious shoots were cultivated in different culture systems: semisolid medium, liquid medium with partial immersion and TI using an Ebb-and-Flow bioreactor. The effect of the culture system, immersion frequency, and culture medium volume per explant on shoot multiplication of A. andreanum was evaluated after 45 days of culture. In addition, chlorophyll content, stomatal index and survival rate during acclimatization were evaluated in different culture systems. A completely randomized experimental design was used for all experiments, with three replicates. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s range test (p ≤ 0.05) were performed. The results showed significant differences in the variables evaluated among the different culture systems. The highest shoot production was obtained in TI with 31.50 ± 0.50 shoots per explant, followed by the partial immersion system and culture in semisolid medium, with 7.25 ± 0.16 and 4.50 ± 0.18 shoots per explant, respectively. Immersion frequency and the amount of culture medium per explant did not show significant differences, which allows us to recommend the immersion frequency of every 12 h and the culture medium volume of 25 mL per explant. TI favored an increase in chlorophyll content, a low stomatal index and a high percentage of closed stomata, suggesting an increase in the functionality of the stomata and probably a higher photosynthetic rate. The survival rate during acclimatization increased when using temporary immersion systems (TIS). This study shows for the first time an efficient TIS for commercial micropropagation of A. andreanum that produces plants with a high survival rate during acclimatization.