Micropropagation Of Two Ecuadorian Varieties Of Yuca (Manihot Esculenta Crantz)

The essential conditions for the in vitro micropropagation of the Ecuadorian cassava varieties INIAP Portoviejo 650 and INIAP Portoviejo 651 were studied. A donor bank consisting of cuttings taken from vigorous, healthy plants was planted. In the in vitro stages, the medium of Murashige and Skoog (MS) was used. Amoxicillin 500 (R) was added to the establishment and the survival of explants and contamination was evaluated. In multiplication, 0.50 mg L-1 of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) + 0.30-0.50 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid (GA(3)) were used; plant height, stem diameter, and the number of shoots and leaves were evaluated. For rooting, 1 mg L-1 naphthalene acetic acid (ANA) + 0.01 mg L-1 gibberellic acid (GA(3)) was used; the parameters evaluated were plant height, stem diameter, number of roots and root length. During acclimatization, plant height, stem diameter, and the number of shoots and leaves per plant were assessed. 100% survival was achieved in the establishment. In the multiplication and rooting, significant interactions were observed variety x culture medium, attributable to the balance between the phytohormones present in the plant tissues and the regulators added to the medium. High percentages of acclimatization were reached (83-87%). It was possible to determine the essential conditions for micropropagation of these cassava varieties, but more in-depth studies are recommended to standardize protocols with a view to their mass multiplication as a means of delivering propagules to farmers.