In vitro establishment of Comanthera curralensis , "sempre viva" native of Chapada Diamantina - Bahia

ABSTRACT: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the germination, initial growth, and in vitro co-cultivation of Comanthera curralensis Moldenke, a "sempre viva" native of the Chapada Diamantina state of Bahia. Full strength (MS) and half-strength MS (MS1/2) growth media supplemented with two different sucrose concentrations (15 and 30g L-1) were tested for germination and initial plant growth. Three different plant densities were tested by in vitro culture (8, 10 and 12 plants per container). MS1/2 medium with 15g L-1 sucrose resulted in a higher percentage of germination and plant growth for the in vitro establishment of C. curralensis. The use of 12 plants per container is indicated for cost reduction in C. curralensis in vitro production