Evaluation of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) in the in vitro culture of Heliconia

• Grant number: 12/00518-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Crop Science
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Hercilio Viegas Rodrigues
• Grantee: Bruna Takeuti
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Heliconias are part of tropical ornamental plants and their demand is increasing in the market. It has great ornamental potential with color and morphology of leaves and inflorescences variety. In vitro technique is not well exploited in research. The aim of this study is to improve the in vitro culture using LED (Light Emitting Diodes) as an illumination system. Plant behavior under this system will be analyzed with factors like growth rate, multiplication rate, biomass, stomata alterations, rooting, and acclimatization.(AU)