Abstract In vitro flowering is a technique used in genetic improvement that accelerates generations and favors the faster fixation of new traits of agronomic and market interest. The study aimed to establish a protocol for the in vitro flowering of Dendrobium nobile, through the combined temperature and of the growth regulator thidiazuron (TDZ) effects. Experiments was performed in a flask that was kept in a BOD incubator at 18, 21, or 24 °C or in a growth room at 26 °C. The TDZ concentrations were 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg L-1. The highest percentage of flowering shoots of 13.7% occurred at a concentration of 2 mg L-1 of TDZ grown at a temperature of 18 °C. Dendrobium nobile in vitro flowering was promoted in plants cultivated in ½ MS supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose, 5.5 g L-1 agar, 100 mL L-1 coconut water, pH 6.0, and 2.0 mg L-1 TDZ at a controlled temperature of 18 °C and a photoperiod of 16 h. The in vitro flowering induction protocol of the D. nobile species could be used or improved for future studies.

Resumo A floração in vitro é uma técnica utilizada no melhoramento genético que acelerar gerações e favorecer a fixação mais rápida de novos caracteres de interesse agronômico e do mercado. O estudo visou estabelecer um protocolo para a floração in vitro de Dendrobium nobile, através dos efeitos combinados de temperatura e do regulador de crescimento thidiazuron (TDZ). Os experimentos foram realizados em incubadora tipo BOD a 18, 21, 24 °C e, em sala de crescimento a 26 °C. As concentrações de TDZ testadas foram de 0,0, 0,5, 1,0 e 2,0 mg L-1. A maior porcentagem de brotos floridos de 13,70% ocorreu na concentração de 2 mg L-1 de TDZ cultivados em temperatura de 18 °C. O florescimento in vitro de D. nobile foi promovido em plantas cultivadas em ½ MS suplementadas com 30 g L-1 de sacarose, 5,5 g L-1 de ágar, 100 mL L-1 de água de coco, pH 6,0 e 2,0 mg L-1 de TDZ em temperatura controlada de 18 °C e fotoperíodo de 16 h. O protocolo de indução de florescimento in vitro da espécie D. nobile poderá ser utilizado ou aprimorado para estudos futuros.

ABSTRACT: Inoculants containing bacteria which promote growth in plants can increase productivity and both the economic and the environmental cost in plant crop systems. Similarly, in the flower and ornamental plant sector, the use of diazotrophic bacteria is a promising approach for improving orchid propagation from tissue culture to the ex vitro environment. We isolated diazotrophic bacteria from the roots and leaves of Cymbidium sp. The isolates were used to inoculate Cymbidium sp. plantlets during acclimatization in the nursery. After 150 days, plants were collected and their morphological and nutritional characteristics assessed. Eight bacterial strains were isolated containing traits that promote plant growth: Bacillus thuringiensis, Burkholderia cepacia, Burkholderia gladioli, Herbaspirillum frisingense, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Rhizobium cellulosilyticum, Rhizobium radiobacter, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The isolated Herbaspirillum frisingense and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia increased 26 % and 29 % in dry matter in Cymbidium sp. plants, respectively, compared to the control. In addition, H. frisingense led to higher contents of N and P, by 68 % and 28 %, respectively, than those found in the control plants. These isolates, therefore, have potential for application as biostimulants and biofertilizers to promote growth and development of Cymbidium sp. during acclimatization.