Leaf anatomy of Crambe abyssinica Hochst. during in vitro shoot induction

This study aimed to characterize and evaluate possible modifications in the leaf anatomy of crambe during the process of shoot induction based on micropropagation protocol. The anatomic characteristics of the leaves, and also the morphological characteristics of crambe plantlets, were evaluated during the shoot induction phase of the micropropagation. The shoots were induced by the cytokinins, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KIN) and thidiazuron (TDZ), at distinct concentrations on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium during 120 days of culture. Comparing the leaf anatomy, it was observed that, at day 30, only the adaxial epidermis and the palisade parenchyma presented significant differences in relation to the tested concentrations, independently of the type of cytokinin employed. At 120 days, the anatomic analysis of the mesophyll demonstrated no marked difference among the cytokinins at 5 μM. Therefore, the various sources and concentrations of cytokinins applied in this work did not promote marked changes in the sense of altering the organization and/or thickness compared to the control. Key words: Oilseeds, micropropagation, mesophyll, histology, plant morphology.