Abstract

RAMIREZ-GUERRERO, Leobarda Guadalupe et al. Effect of NaCl and CaCl₂ on embryonic axes development of criollo and 'Hass' of Persea Americana Mill. growing in vitro. Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2010, vol.16, n.3, pp.161-167. ISSN 2007-4034.

The aim of this study was to identify salinity tolerant avocados materials useful as rootstocks. Embryonic axes of criollo and 'Hass' avocados were planted in vitro on Murashige and Skoog medium at 100 % of its nutritional composition in induced saline environment with NaCl and CaCl₂. Five levels of each salt were tested (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 %), as well as their combination at 1:1 ratio. The germination, seedling emergency, rooting plant growth and plant surviving of avocados were studied. Criollo achieved 21 % of seed germination, and 26 % of seedling emergency, higher than 'Hass' avocados, with 50 % in each one of plant growth variables and 10 % of plantlets survival. The embryonic axes were more deteriorated with NaCl treatments than with CaCl₂ treatments and NaCl:CaCl₂ treatments. The in vitro technique helped to determine, after 65 days of culture than criollo avocados were more stress saline tolerant than Hass.

Keywords : Avocado; germination; emergency; plant surviving; salinity.