Effects of auxins on soluble carbohydrates, starch and soluble protein content in Aechmea blanchetiana (Bromeliaceae) cultured in vitro

We investigated the content of soluble carbohydrates, starch and soluble proteins after treatment with auxins indole-3-butylic acid (IBA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) during the development of Aechmea blanchetiana (Bromeliaceae) plantlets cultured in vitro, to determine the contribution of these compounds in plant propagation. Fresh and dry mass of roots increased more than fivefold with NAA (5.37 and 16.11 μM) compared to those with the auxin-free control. After 70 days of culture concentration of soluble protein concentration content was higher in the roots and leaves of plantlets treated with IBA and similar to auxin-free control, while a maximum accumulation of sugars was observed at 90 days in the roots of plantlets treated with NAA (0.54 μM) or IBA (0.49 and 4.9 μM). The major carbon reserves in the roots were soluble carbohydrates, suggesting that they play an important role in the growth of in vitro-cultured epiphytic bromeliads.