Embryogenesis of 'albescens'-type of oil palm (&lt;i&gt;Elaeis guineensis&lt;/i&gt; Jacq.) in Eeuwens medium

J.N Ebube,O.J Odewale,C.N.C Nwaoguala

doi:10.4314/njb.v35i1.13

Abstract

The growth response of zygotic embryos of 'Albescens'- type of 'tenera' oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) using Eeuwens medium, supplemented with 1-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) was investigated. The respective concentrations (0.00 mg/L, 0.05 mg/L, 0.10 mg/L) of NAA and BAP were used singly and in combination. Zygotic embryos extracted from the 'Tenera-albescens' type of oil palm were sterilized and inoculated in Eeuwens media containing the various combinations of growth regulators. The cultures were incubated in the dark room at 26oC, 50-60% relative humidity and later transferred to the light room at 26oC, 50-60% relative humidity at 16 hr photoperiod. Subcultures were carried out at intervals of 4 weeks. Data were collected on days to shoot and root emergence, shoot length at 3 weeks after inoculation (WAI), root length and plant height at 4, 6, 8 and 10 WAI, number of leaves and roots at 10 WAI. The results showed that the concentrations of NAA and BAP singly and in combinations had significant (p < 0.05) effect on in vitro plant regeneration and plantlet development. However, synergistic effect of the two plant growth regulators as supplements were optimal for all growth parameters measured.Keywords: Elaeis guineensis, 'Albescens', dormancy, germination, Eeuwens, in vitro

Highlights

World demand for vegetable oil is much on the increase, from 100 million tonnes in 2005 to an estimated 150 million tonnes in 2020 (Ataga and Vossen, 2007)
The objective of this study was to determine for the first time, the efficacy of Eeuwens medium supplemented with the plant growth regulators, 1-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) on growth response of zygotic embryos of 'Albescens'-type of 'Tenera' oil palm
Swelling of the embryo was observed at 10 days after inoculation (DAI) (Plate 2b), followed by the formation of haustorium and the embryonic axis began to turn green (Plate 2c) leading to the emergence of plumule from the shoot apex within 14 days of culture and the shoot elongation at 3 weeks after inoculation (WAI)

Summary

Introduction

World demand for vegetable oil is much on the increase, from 100 million tonnes in 2005 to an estimated 150 million tonnes in 2020 (Ataga and Vossen, 2007). The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) belongs to the Arecaceae family and originated from West Africa (Hartley, 1988). It is the major source of vegetable oil in the world and the first plant used in the production of vegetable oil commercially in the international market (Carvalho et al, 1997). The oil palm is a tropical species that grows mainly in hot, humid climate with abundance of rain. It is a perennial monocot with a long generation period of about 20 years. Mature palms are singlestemmed and grow to 20m tall (Carvalho et al, 1997)

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