Abstract
The embryogenic ability of two cassava cultivars (Sandpaper and TMS 60444) was investigated by culturing their young leaf lobes on an induction medium (DKW2 50P). The explants formed organized embryogenic structures regardless of the concentration of picloram in the medium. Organized embryogenic structures induction was enhanced by increasing the concentration of picloram in the induction medium for both cultivars. The optimum level of picloram at which maximum stable frequencies (53.1±17.6 and 51.5±14.6 for Sandpaper and TMS 60444 respectively) of organized embryogenic structures were obtained was 5 mg/l. Friable embryogenic callus were further produced in GD2 50P medium supplemented with 500 µM tyrosine. The produced friable embryogenic calluses are prime target tissues for genetic transformation and plantlet regeneration. Key words: Cassava cultivars, explants, organized embryogenic structures, friable embryogenic callus, picloram, tyrosine.
Highlights
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the most pervasive, highly valued and profiled crop in Nigeria.Grown in almost every field and frequently intercropped with okra (Hibiscus esculenta), maize (Zea mays), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and other crops, it has successfully gained acceptance and dominance over yams and cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) as staple food in the country
We report a method for inducing somatic embryogenesis in sandpaper and TMS 60444 cultivated in the Southern States of Nigeria
The present study presents interesting aspects of callus initiation and somatic embryo induction from young leaf lobes of Sandpaper and TMS 60444 cassava cultivars
Summary
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the most pervasive, highly valued and profiled crop in Nigeria.Grown in almost every field and frequently intercropped with okra (Hibiscus esculenta), maize (Zea mays), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and other crops, it has successfully gained acceptance and dominance over yams and cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) as staple food in the country. We report a method for inducing somatic embryogenesis in sandpaper (a farmer-preferred cultivar) and TMS 60444 (a model cassava cultivar) cultivated in the Southern States of Nigeria. Young leaf lobes of the in vitro-grown cassava plantlets (Sandpaper and TMS 60444) from National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Umuahia, Nigeria were excised and used for the induction of organized embryogenic structures (OES) on DKW2
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