Integrated media and plant growth regulators comparative evaluation for enhanced in vitro propagation and acclimatization of Selenicereus Costaricensis

BACKGROUND: several protocols were tested for in vitro propagation of dragon fruit Selenicereus costaricensis (F.A.C. Weber) S.Arias & N. Korotkova ex Hammel, but face limitations such as low multiplication rates, slow growth, and poor rooting and acclimatization. Media composition affects morphophysiological properties and dragon plant growth throughout all propagation stages. This study presents a comprehensive and optimized protocol for in vitro micropropagation and ex vitro acclimatization of S. costaricensis, addressing these challenges. Tip explants from two-week-old seedlings were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Woody Plant Medium (WPM) at varying strengths (¼, ½, ¾, and full) and sucrose concentrations (20 and 30 g/L). RESULTS: The optimal shoot proliferation was attained on ¾-strength MS medium supplemented with 30 g/L sucrose, yielding shoots with an average length of 1.9 ± 0.0003 cm and a fresh weight of 1.36 ± 0.057 g per plantlet. The multiplication of ¾ MS supplemented with 2 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L kinetin yielded the best proliferation rate, producing 70.66 ± 0.577 shoots per explant. Rooting was markedly improved on ¼ MS with activated charcoal, yielding roots averaging 13.6 ± 0.0004 cm in length and 21 ± 0.0004 roots per plantlet. During acclimation, plantlets cultivated in a peat moss: perlite (1:1) mixture attained a 97 ± 1.000% survival rate, produced 3.6 ± 0.577 shoots per plantlet, and developed vigorous root systems. . CONCLUSION: To optimize in vitro propagation of dragon fruit plantlets, use ¾ MS medium with 30 g/L sucrose for establishment, add 2 mg/L BAP for multiplication, then transfer axillary shoots to ¼ MS with activated charcoal for rooting, and acclimatize using a 1:1 peat moss–perlite mix.