This research aimed to find the optimal conditions for the in vitro propagation of Alternanthera porrigens. For disinfection tests and determination of the percentage of viability of the explants, 70% ethanol was used with different concentrations of NaClO (1.0%, 1.5% and 2%) at different exposure times, obtaining the lowest percentage of contamination using 70% ethanol and NaClO 2.0% for 2 and 7 minutes, respectively. Subsequently, in vitro propagation assays were performed in Murashige and Skoog (MS) culture media supplemented with growth regulators 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 3-indol-acetic acid (AIA) to evaluate the effects on stem elongation, shoot generation (axillary buds) under light conditions for 20 days at 20 ± 3°C. Concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.5 mg/l AIA and 0, 0.5 and 1 mg/l BAP were used where the treatment with 0.5mg/l AIA and 1 mg/l BAP was the phytohormone combination that presented optimal results for propagation. Therefore, this work can be presented as a reproducible protocol for in vitro propagation of Alternanthera porrigens.

Alternanthera porrigens, shoots, in vitro propagation, growth regulators, nodal segments