ISHS Acta Horticulturae 736: III International Date Palm Conference
MORPHOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES IN TISSUE CULTURE-DERIVED DATE PALM (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.) |
| Authors: | H.S. Al-Mazroui, A. Zaid, N. Bouhouche |
| Keywords: | somaclonal variation, organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis |
| Abstract:
Tissue culture is an important means of mass propagation of date palms. Although this technology presents several advantages, appearance of plant off-types is often associated with tissue culture-derived plants. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence and importance of morphological abnormalities in five important date cultivars propagated by tissue culture techniques. Dwarfism was observed at a high incidence (18%) in ‘Sukkari’ propagated by indirect embryogenesis. Scarcity in flowering, fertilization failure and bastard offshoots did not exceed 5% in the plants studied. Excessive vegetative growth, uneven ripening, delay in flowering and abnormal morphology and structure occurred with a very low incidence of less than 1%. The results obtained in this investigation provide valuable information to plant tissue culturists and date growers alike as guidance in the selection of the best propagation technique for each cultivar. | |
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