Fenologia e cultura de tecidos do acapu (Vouacapoua americana Aubl., Leguminosae), árvore da Amazônia ameaçada de extinção

Abstract

Vouacapoua americana Aubl., is an Amazonian species popularly known as acapu, generally found in dry land environments, which in recent years has been widely explored, mainly in the state of Pará. The evaluation of phenological activities allows us to know the vegetative and reproductive patterns of species. At the same time, in vitro cultivation, especially organogenesis, appears as a promising tool for the ex situ conservation of this species, allowing rapid, disease-free, large-scale multiplication. Therefore, the objective of this research is to phenologically characterize the natural ecosystem of Vouacapoua americana Aubl and establish an in vitro propagation protocol. Phenology was evaluated for 7 years (2016-2022) using the canopy observation method, highlighting the reproductive and vegetative phenophases. For in vitro propagation analyses, different explants of V. americana obtained from seedlings grown in a nursery were used, in which the following were tested: types of asepsis, induction of shoots, callus and germination with different growth regulators. In phenology, the results showed a positive clarity for the reproductive phenophases with occurrence and relative humidity, presenting a peak in the period of greatest rainfall. Leaf phenophases had their greatest intensity during the dry period and had a positive relationship with sunshine and temperature. The results of this in vitro propagation study with V. americana highlight that asepsis with hypochlorite and 70º alcohol are effective against pathogens, however, this varies according to the explant tested and experimentation time, that PPM is effective in controlling microorganism’s organisms in leaf explants. Furthermore, Picloram was the best growth regulator for calorie induction. The morphological analysis of the callus showed a change in the color of the callus and shape of the cells according to the concentration and showed cells with isodiametric shapes. In short, Acapu is declared to be a seasonal and annual species, and this information is important for ex situ and in situ conservation research. Furthermore, it is important to update specific protocols for asepsis according to the type of explant, considering the environmental conditions and the intrinsic characteristics of plant tissues.