ESTERILIZAÇÃO QUÍMICA PARA O CULTIVO IN VITRO DE PORTA-ENXERTO DE PESSEGUEIRO

The culture media sterilization is typically performed by autoclaving. However, this process may degrade or reduce the action of compounds with desired physiological effect, such as vitamins and growth regulators. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sterilizing agents added to the culture medium in vitro mume 'Rigitano' establishment. For this purpose, nodal segments were inoculated into culture medium prepared considering the following treatments: addition of sodium hypochlorite (0.01 and 0.05 % v/v), chlorine dioxide (0.1, 0.5 and 1% v/v) or hydrogen peroxide (0.3, 0.7 and 1.5 %, v/v). The control treatment consisted of the absence of sterilizing, autoclaved and non-autoclaved. In different periods (7, 14 and 21 days), it was determined survival explants, whole contamination, contamination by bacteria, fungi contamination and oxidation. It was found ocurrence of Alternaria, Cladosporim, Penicillium, Trichoderma and Cryptococcus fungal genera. It was conclude that the use of hydrogen peroxide or chlorine dioxide is effective for the chemical sterilization of culture media.