The effect of the antibiotic, sucrose and activated charcoal on bacterial contamination, browning and organogenesis of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) meristem culture

Abstract

In the current study, the effect of antibiotic on bacterial contamination and browning in in vitro condition and effect of different concentration of sucrose and activated charcoal in organogenesis and browning date palm explants were investigated.In first experiment, apex meristems of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) cv. Estamaran were cultured in media containing two types of antibiotics (cefotaxime and chloramphenicol) at 3 different concentrations (0, 50, or 100 mg L−1). In the second experiment effect of different concentration of sucrose (30, 40 and 50 g L-1) and 2 concentration of activated charcoal (0.5 and 2 g L-1) on organogenesis and explant browning were studied. Result showed that minimum bacterial contamination accrued in 100 mg L-1 chloramphenicol in the medium. The maximum browning occurred in medium contain 100 mg L-1 cefotaxime and 100 mg L-1 chloramphenicol. In second experiment shoot regeneration was enhanced when sucrose concentration was used at 30 or 40 g l−1, but 50 g L-1 of sucrose reduce that. Also the use of 0.5 g L-1 and 2 g L-1 activated charcoal was not significantly different to reduce the browning of explants. This result developed an initial protocol for micropropagation of date palm. The type and concentration of antibiotic and sucrose concentration were found to have significant effect on organogenesis and browning of explants. Treatment with higher levels of antibiotic (especially cefotaxime) increased browning. This successful protocol would facilitate the vegetative propagation, conservation, and genetic engineering of this species.