Abstract
The success of in vitro culture techniques is always hampered by microbial contamination. The present study was carried out to develop an efficient protocol for date palm explants sterilization for successful somatic embryos induction and plantlets formation of some date palm varieties. The shoot tips were treated with different sterilizing agents at different concentrations and durations of exposure. The use of ethanol (70%), sodium hypochlorite (3.5% & 70%) and mercuric chloride (0.2%) with or without addition of Tween-20 had different effects on decontamination of the date palm explants. The percentage of explants contaminated with bacteria for sterilants 1, 2 and 4 was 18.8%, 6.3% and 6.3% respectively while 25%, 37.5%, 31.25% and 6.25% were contaminated with fungi for sterilants 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Under the conditions used, a combination of antioxidants (Citric and Ascorbic acids at 100mg/l), 0.2% mercuric chloride and 3.5% sodium hypochlorite solution with 3 drops/100ml of Tween-20 helped in the reduction of chlorosis, contamination and die-back in the shoot tip explants. The explants were further cultured in appropriate media for callus initiation and subsequent somatic embryo induction. Optimal embryogenic callus was obtained from the shoot explant of sterilant number 4 which had the minimal contamination and die-back of all the cultures. After 3 subcultures, the somatic embryos formed were multiplied for shoot development. From this study, we established that the use of appropriate surface sterilant at suitable concentration and duration of exposure of date palm explant to it is indispensable for maximum responses of in vitro cultures.
 Keywords: Date palm, Microbial contamination, Sterilizing agents, in vitro, Somatic embryos
Highlights
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) grows well in the hot sahelian zone of Northern Nigeria, where it is an important agricultural commodity (Asemota and Eke, 2005)
Date palm explants are exposed to microbial infection at all stages of tissue culture
Different explanations have been proposed about the causes of microbial contamination of date palm tissue culture (Abass, 2013)
Summary
Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) grows well in the hot sahelian zone of Northern Nigeria, where it is an important agricultural commodity (Asemota and Eke, 2005). The high demand for female date palms on the local market in Nigeria requires expansion of increased production. Micropropagation through tissue culture is one of the most widely accepted tools for the large scale production of genetically improved plant materials (George and Sherrington, 1984). Date palm explants are exposed to microbial infection at all stages of tissue culture. Contamination might come with the explants or occurs during the propagation procedures. Different explanations have been proposed about the causes of microbial contamination of date palm tissue culture (Abass, 2013). One explanation is the method used to sterilize the explants, tool and equipment.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
