The influence of physical conditions on embryo and protoplast culture in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Theera Srisawat and Kamnoon Kanchanapoom*

ABSTRACT: Shoots with well developed roots were produced when oil palm embryos (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) were imbibed for 48 h and cultured in liquid Y3 (Eeuwens, 1978) medium. Embryos, which were imbibed for 48 h and cultured in Y3 liquid medium containing 8.3 µM picloram and 4.5 µM 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) gave the highest callus induction. Cell nuclei were isolated from embryos, calli, cell suspensions, shoots and roots, stained with propidium iodide and analyzed using flow cytometry. Characterization of the DNA content revealed that most of imbibed oil palm embryos were in G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Protoplasts were isolated from these embryos, calli and shoots, and the high percentage of cell division was derived from protoplasts cultured in liquid thin layer method. Colonies were obtained in protoplasts derived from the agarose embedding method; however no further development was evidenced.

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Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

* Corresponding author, E-mail: kamnoon.k@psu.ac.th

Received 7 Jul 2004, Accepted 18 Nov 2004