Indirect Somatic Embryogenesis: An Efficient and Genetically Reliable Clonal Propagation System for Ananas comosus L. Merr. Hybrid MD2

The objective of this study was to establish an efficient-direct or indirect-regeneration system for pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) plants, with a high rate of multiplication and that would preserve the genetic identity of the donor genotype (Hybrid 'MD2') in the regenerated plants. Ten treatments, with different concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D) and Picloram (P), in the absence or presence of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), were used for in vitro morphogenesis induction, as well as histological and molecular techniques, in order to characterize the morphogenic responses induced. Significant differences between treatments tested, to induce callus and buds, were assessed by the Kruskal Wallis method and the Mann-Whitney U-tests. Different pineapple regeneration routes were identified, showing the high regeneration potential of this species. The medium containing 2 mg L-1 2,4-D and 2 mg L-1 BAP, where indirect somatic embryogenesis occurred, was selected as the most efficient treatment, with an average of 120 somatic embryos per explant, differing significantly from the rest of the treatments. It was also demonstrated that the pineapple plants regenerated in vitro preserved the genetic identity of the donor genotype, which represents a high degree of confidence for the application of indirect somatic embryogenesis for A. comusus clonal propagation.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to establish an efficient regeneration system for pineapple plants, with a high multiplication rate while preserving the genetic identity of the donor genotype. Different hormone treatments were used to induce morphogenesis, and various regeneration routes were identified. It was demonstrated that the regenerated pineapple plants in vitro maintained the genetic characteristics of the donor genotype, validating the use of indirect somatic embryogenesis for clonal propagation of A. comusus.