2017 年 82 巻 4 号 p. 385-390
Myrsine coriacea is a Primulaceae species considered ecologically important for colonizing degraded areas and providing fruits for birds. This species has been gaining attention at present due to possessing pharmacological compounds explored in cancer treatment. This study aimed to establish the first procedure for in vitro propagation of M. coriacea through seed germination and somatic embryogenesis. A high frequency of germination (100%) was observed from mature seeds pre-treated with hydrochloric acid and inoculated into medium supplemented with gibberellic acid. Plantlets were generated after 41 days from these seeds, a time relatively short in comparison to ex vitro methods used for propagation of this species. Besides the direct system starting with seed germination, the recovery of M. coriacea was established from indirect somatic embryogenesis using immature zygotic embryos. From these explants, friable calli were formed on medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine, and somatic embryos were regenerated and plantlets recovered after 115 days. This result evidenced that the immature zygotic embryos of M. coriacea possess levels of endogenous phytohormones, mainly auxins, which are sufficient to trigger the embryogenic system. All M. coriacea plantlets showed the same nuclear 2C value and chromosome number in relation to explant donors. Thus, no karyotype change occurred during propagation in the in vitro system standardized. The first reliable and relatively rapid procedures provided morphologically normal seedlings of M. coriacea, providing the basis for other tissue culture applications. Furthermore, the plantlets regenerated can be used in reforestation and conservation programs, and for production of pharmacological compounds.