The Context and Strategies for Tissue Culture of Date, African Oil and Coconut Palms

Abstract

The benefits that can accrue from the application of aseptic culture techniques to palms such as African oil palm, date palm, coconut palm, etc. are considerable. Here, the challenge is, as in other instances, in developing methods to such a degree that they reflect a high level of reliability. In addition to effective tissue and cell culture methods, this means that sooner or later, in vitro derived or manipulated materials must be grown to maturity under field conditions, evaluated agronomically or horticulturally and shown to be acceptable. From that point on, predominantly economic considerations will determine the implementation of production programs. Information from preliminary field trials is just beginning to emerge. It is unclear where the subject now stands and will remain so until more data accrue. An attempt is made to provide a brief overview of the range of available tissue culture techniques for palms and their potential for production. Special emphasis has been placed on culture strategies as they reflect cell biological principles. Suggestions are made for a rethinking of approaches towards achieving the required reliability.