Anatomical characters of curauá foliar fibers from plantlets <em>in vitro<em> propagation

Abstract

Curauá [Ananas erectifolius (L.B.Sm) - Bromeliaceae] is a species with great utilization potential in the car manufacture, due to its resistance, softness and reduced weight. The objective of this study was to examine the presence of fibers in curauá plantlet cultured in vitro deriving or not from elongation as well as to contribute to anatomical leaf description. curauá shoots produced in vitro were compared, by the conventional method (T1) and by the elongation method (T2). In the transversal cuts, fibers bundle related or not to the nervure were counted and fiber bundle diameters measured. The number and fiber bundle diameter related or not to vein were superior in (T1) that produced 23.7 fibers not related to vein while (T2) produced 14.3. The related fibers to vein (T1) produced 14.6 and (T2) 11.3. As for fibers diameter related to vein (T1) obtained 61.61 μm and (T2) 53.17 μm. For the fibers diameter not related to vein, there was no significant difference. For anatomical characteristics, higher visual differences are in the chlorenchyma volume and in the aquiferus parenchyma that were higher in (T2). Therefore, curauá’s shootlet cultured in vitro from shoot elongation tend to produce more fibers.