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A micropropagation protocol for Maytenus octogona, a medicinal shrub of Peruvian desert, was
established using in vitro germinated 3 to 4-week-old seedlings as a source of explants. Shoot
elongation was obtained from apical buds and nodal segments cultured in MS medium supplemented
with 0.01 mg/L IAA – 0.25 mg/L BAP and 0.01 mg/L IAA – 0.01 mg/L GA3, with 37.0 and 36.7 cm,
respectively, after 60 days of culture. Isolated individual shoots were cultured on full strength MS
medium containing IBA 25 mg/L for 24 h in the dark for induction of roots, followed by transfer to
gelled hormone-free full strength MS basal medium, with 100% of shoots rooted. Callus induction
was achieved from various explants in MS medium supplemented with 5.0 mg/L 2,4-D + 1.0 mg/L
KIN + 25 mg/L cysteine +510 mg/L KH2PO4, 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D + 0.2 mg/L KIN, and 5.0 mg/L 2,4-D +
0.2 mg/L KIN. Indirect organogenesis was observed in callus induced from hypocotyls in MS
medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BAP and 2.0 mg/L 2iP. This study is the first attempt to
standardize the shoot elongation and shoot proliferation from apical buds and nodal segments,
callus induction from various explants as zygotic embryos, seeds, leaves, hypocotyls and roots, and
indirect organogenesis from hypocotyls.
Keywords: Callus induction, in vitro propagation, Maytenus octogona, shoot elongation, rooting.