[In vitro propagation of mahogany tree (Swietenia macrophylla King) from axillary buds].

The mahogany tree (Swietenia macrophylla King) is a forest tree with a great commercial value mainly due to its wood quality. Unfortunately, this species is being threatened by the effect of intensive timber exploitation, its low capacity to regenerate, and the attack of the Meliaceae shoot borer (Hypsipylla grandella Zeller) (Lepidoptera Pyralidae). To increase population, large-scale propagation of mahogany by in vitro culture was developed. To obtain plantlets, nodal segments were cultured in a half-strength MS medium supplemented with different combinations of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzyladenine (BA), specified by the Central Compositional Rotable Statistical Design Method, within a range of 0-3 mg/L for both hormones. Favourable incubation conditions were: 16 h light, and 40-45 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1) at 25 degrees C. The derived response surface showed an optimal axillary bud elongation on a medium containing 1.94 mg BA/L and 0.38 mg NAA/L. No significant differences were found neither applying Orellana Method nor modified Orellana method. Mahogany plantlets obtained were successfully acclimated.