Abstract

Celia Marilia Martins*, Felicidade Jose Nhacaa, Cacilda Bilaa, Melvis Cossab, SuzanaFernandesb, Ricardo Macieb, Adelino Diasb, Sonia Ventura Guilundoa, Iris Victorinoa, MiltonPinhoa and Orlando Antonio Quilamboa

Ansellia Africana lindl is an endemic orchid species in sub-Saharan Africa classified on the red list as "vulnerable" owing to its overexploitation for medicinal purposes? In vitro propagation has been a viable alternative for conservation and propagation of endangered orchid species. Many culture media are used in in vitro propagation of orchid; however, there is still no specific formulation for Ansellia Africana lindl. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different treatment of the growth regulators Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and Benzylaminopurine (BAP) on the number of leaves, number of shoots, shoot length, number of roots and root length in the in vitro cultivation of Ansellia Africana lindl. The BAP and NAA treatment caused differentiated responses in Ansellia Africana lindl. In vitro regeneration. Treatment with BAP 1.0 mg/L and NAA 2.0 mg/L showed the best results in most of the parameters analyzed in in vitro development of plantlets of the orchid. This treatment could be used in micro propagation of this orchid and contribute to its conservation. In acclimatization under ex vitro conditions, the substrate with Sclerocarya birrea trunk bark+sand provided the highest percentage of plantlets survival (66.6%) followed by rice husk+sawdust+coco mix with 61.90% and by Afzelia quanzensis trunk bark+coconut fiber when compared to control.