The Effect of Chitosan on Organogenesis of Oil Palm Embryo-Derived Callus

Abstract

Zygotic embryos of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. var. tenera) were excised and cultured on MS medium containing 3 mg/l 2, 4-D either with or without 0.05% activated charcoal (AC). Improved growth of embryos was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 0.05% AC. Callus cultures were initiated from embryos, young leaves and roots on MS medium containing 2, 4-D, NAA and 0.05% AC. On these media, two morphologically distinct types of white and yellow compact calluses were produced. Green shoots regenerated after several transfers of the yellow compact calluses from zygotic embryos to MS medium supplemented with 15 mg/l chitosan either with or without 5 mg/l 2, 4-D. Histological sectioning revealed that regenerated shoots originated from a clump of meristematic cells that had dense cytoplasm. Regenerated shoots rooted when transferred to MS medium in the presence of 0.05% AC. Transfer of plantlets to soil was achieved. Callus from young seedling leaves and roots did not regenerate shoots or roots in medium containing 2, 4-D or TDZ, with or without chitosan. This finding shows that chitosan can initiate organogenesis in oil palm callus.