ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 2005
Available online at http://internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ajmr
© 2005 International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Somatic embryogenesis in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) from apical meristem tissues from ‘zebia’ and ‘loko’ landraces
Chukwuemeka R. Eke1, Peter Akomeah2 and Omorefe Asemota1*
1Physiology Division, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, P.M.B. 1030, Benin City, Nigeria.
2Botany Department, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.
Accepted February 23, 2005
Abstract
The shoot apical meristem from young suckers were used as sources of explants for initiation of culture using MS basal medium which contained 2,4-D. This was incubated at 27oC in the dark. Callogenesis was observed as early as the second subculture. Continuous subculture of the callus in the establishment medium at about the third subculture from calls production, resulted in somatic embryo formation. The somatic embryos were then transferred to MS medium without hormones under light where they matured after about two subcultures and developed into shoots. The shoots produced roots when transferred to a medium which contained NAA at 0.1 mg/L.
Key words: somatic embryogenesis, date palm, in vitro, micropropagation.