Kamnoon Kanchanapoom and Songrat Tinnongjig

pp. 643 - 648

Abstract

Embryos of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) variety tenera were cultured on Eeuwens or Y3 (1976; 1978) medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D. Calluses were initiated from these embryos. The eight-weekold calluses derived from embryos were transferred to modified Y3 liquid medium devoid of 2,4-D and supplemented with NAA, BA and coconut water to establish cell suspension culture. After a period of culture, these cells were then subcultured to the same medium without plant growth regulators to induce embryoid formation. The calluses and embryoids were harvested at various times, fixed, sectioned, stained and examined microscopically. Histological study revealed that embryoid occurred from meristematic cells with dense cytoplasm along the callus clumps.

Keywords

• callus
• Elaeis guineensis Jacq.
• embryo culture
• histology
• oil palm