Adventitious rooting and anatomical aspects of Campomanesia phaea stems

ABSTRACT. Current literature is lacking regarding the vegetative propagation of the cambuci tree (Campomanesia phaea O. Berg Landrum). This study aimed to verify the efficiency of cutting techniques via the assessment of cuttings of varying types and sizes, sampling dates, and the influence of treatments containing plant growth regulator indolebutyric acid (IBA) combined with the antioxidant ascorbic acid across different immersion times. The species was found not to develop adventitious roots easily, and hence, the herbaceous and woody stem materials were subjected to histochemical studies to elucidate their anatomical and physiological processes. To this end, plant material was polymerized in glycol methacrylate resin, cut into sections, and stained using toluidine blue (0.05%) or via histochemical staining with PAS/naphthol blue black. Anatomical analysis of plant structures revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and sclerenchyma tissue, which in turn are expected to negatively impact the development of adventitious roots.