Callus induction and quality in foliar explants of allophylus edulis (a.st.-hil., cambess. & a. juss) radlk, a native forest species with many uses

Allophylus edulis, known as cocum, is a medicinal species native to Brazil and used for its anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive properties. The species also produces high quality wood, which can be used in the production of charcoal, is considered a valuable ornamental species, being useful for urban afforestation, in addition to the recovery of degraded areas. Despite the considerable increase in the use of native species, few studies have focused on the in vitro cultivation of these species. Considering the importance and complexity of the success of micropropagation, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA) on the in vitro callogenesis of A. edulis leaf explants. Only the control treatment failed to produce 100% of callus, and the highest intensities of callogenesis, fresh mass and dry mass were obtained with 2.5 and 5.0 mg L-1 of BAP and 2.0 mg L-1 of NAA. The treatments produced calluses and consistencies of different colors. Both 2.0 mg L-1 of NAA and 2.5 mg L-1 of BAP must be added to the culture medium to promote the formation of calluses of A. edulis with morphological characteristics suitable for organogenesis.