Abstract
Oil palm is one of the most economically valuable oil seed plants, but the expansion of plantations has been limited by availability of seedlings, as the conventional propagation is through seeds, which have low germination rates. One possible solution for the large-scale production is the use of somatic embryogenesis. The aim of this study was evaluate the effects auxins 2,4-D and picloram on the induction of pro-embryogenic masses in E.guineenesis hybrid leaf explants and characterize, regarding embryogenic characteristics, with cytochemical and ultrastructural analysis. Specifically, in vitro plantlets leaves fragments were inoculated in Y3 culture medium supplemented by 2.4-D or picloram at different concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 mg l⁻¹). After 90 days the presence/ absence of cell masses were evaluated. Both growth regulators efficiently induced cellular masses regardless of the concentrations applied. As the cell masses were not homogeneously formed, they were classified according to color and shape into four types: TYPE 1--elongated and translucent, TYPE 2--uneven and translucent, TYPE 3--globular and beige, TYPE 4--globular and white. Based on the anatomical and ultrastructural features, TYPE 2, 3 and 4 cell masses were considered to have the highest embryogenic potential and therefore may be most suited to large-scale vegetative propagation of oil palm.
Highlights
The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. var Tenera) is one of the most economically valuable oil seed plants due to its high oil yield per bunch - reaching up to 6,000 kg ha-1 for certain genotypes
Expansion of oil palm plantations has been limited by availability of seedlings, as the conventional propagation is through seeds, which have low germination rates and require a substantial period (1-3 years) to produce seedlings (Martine et al 2009, Luis et al 2010)
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the growth regulators 2,4-D and picloran on the induction of pro-embriogenic masses from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. var Tenera) leaf explants
Summary
The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. var Tenera) is one of the most economically valuable oil seed plants due to its high oil yield per bunch - reaching up to 6,000 kg ha-1 for certain genotypes. Var Tenera) is one of the most economically valuable oil seed plants due to its high oil yield per bunch - reaching up to 6,000 kg ha-1 for certain genotypes. Palm oil is of high quality and is widely used in the food, medicine and cosmetic industries. In order to expand oil palm cultivation and increase biofuel supply, the Brazilian government has recently launched the National Biofuels Programme (Agroanalysis 2007). Expansion of oil palm plantations has been limited by availability of seedlings, as the conventional propagation is through seeds, which have low germination rates and require a substantial period (1-3 years) to produce seedlings (Martine et al 2009, Luis et al 2010).
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