IN VITRO SEED GERMINATION AND PLANT GROWTH OF “CABEÇA-DE-FRADE” (CACTACEAE)

ABSTRACT The genus Melocactus (“cabeça-de-frade”) comprises 32 species in Brazil, of which M. glaucescens and paucispinus are threatened with extinction. present work evaluated the effects different concentrations Murashige & Skoog (MS, MS/2 MS/4) culture medium sucrose (15 g L-1 30 L-1) on vitro seed germination plant growth efficiency sterilization sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) when using seeds apical segment cladode. In glaucescens, final at MS varied between 53.5 68.1% best results for were observed lowest mineral salt (MS/2 concentrations, lengths aerial portion 9.70 10.76 mm, respectively. There was no difference chemical autoclave medium. It is concluded that use NaOCl low salts quite advantageous producing ornamental plants germinated and/or cladode andM. paucispinus, representing a reduction costs cultivation this species.