A protocol for in vitro multiplication of Morella sp: a protected species in the Tambillo Community Protected Area - Ecuador

Abstract The objective of this research was to develop a protocol for the in vitro establishment and multiplication of Morella sp. (Myricaceae). Tender apical shoots of Morella sp. were used as explants, which were disinfected under aseptic conditions with a 2% NaOCl solution for 4 minutes. Ninety percent of the apical shoots were free from contaminants. In the in vitro multiplication stage, the increase in the number of leaves was observed, being directly proportional to the concentration of the basal medium with WPM salts and vitamins + 0.25 mg.L-1 gibberellic acid (GA3) and different doses of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The explants cultured in the basal medium with WPM salts and vitamins at 100% supplemented with 0.25 mg.L-1 GA3 + 1.5 mg.L-1 BAP, generating an average of 6.4 leaves per explant. Regarding in vitro rooting, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in the number of roots per explant among the evaluated treatments of indole-3-butryic acid (IBA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). However, the number and length of roots per explant were higher in the treatments supplemented with IBA, these showed the highest number of roots per explant (2.4 roots) at a dose of 0.75 mg.L-1 and a higher average length of 3.7 cm at a dose of 1 mg.L-1 IBA. The results obtained in this research lay the basis for further optimization of the micropropagation protocol for mass production of Morella sp. plants and to achieve the goal of reforesting Tambillo, the first community protected area in Ecuador.