Influence of calcium chloride on the growth of Gypsophila paniculata L. (Caryophyllaceae) explants, cultivated in vitro

Abstract

Shoot tips from plants still in the vegetative growth phase were used as explants. They were sterilised with tetraciclin 1% for four minutes, sodium hypochloridre (commercial sanitary water with 5% of active cloride) 20% (v/v) for 15 minutes and alcohol 70 GL for 2 minutes. The explants were inoculated in a growth medium MS (Murashigue & Skoog), with different concentrations of CaCl2: a) 440; b) 880; c) 1,760; d) 2,640 and e) 3,520 mg/1. Explants were kept in a growth chamber at constant temperature (25°C ± 2°C) with a photo period of 16 hours. The explants in the medium modified with 1,760 mg/1 of CaCl2, presented the best results, with a vigorous growth and presence of intense green color on the leaves. The explants inoculated with 440 mg/1 de CaCl2 did not have a satisfactory growth after 10 days of incubation, presenting estiolation and low intensify of green color in the leaves. The explants inoculated with 3,520 mg/1 of CaCl2, also did not present satisfactory growth after 60 days of inoculation, probably due to an excess of calcium in the medium or chloride toxicity.