Embryogenic callus formation in <i>Dioscorea rotundata</i> Poir cv. `Blanco de Guinea'

Abstract

Yam contributes to energy and nutritional requirements of most of the population of developing countries. However, their extensive culture is constrained by the limited availability of planting material with physiological and sanitary quality, and also part of the harvesting is used as seed in the next planting. For this reason, it is necessary to establish a methodology for plant regeneration and somatic embryogenesis could facilitate their micropropagation and genetic improvement. This study aimed to form embryogenic callus in Dioscorea rotundata Poir cv. `White Guinea'. The effect of the addition of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (0, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg l-1) was determined, in combination with three types of explants from in vitro plants (leaves petiole, petiole segments and root sections). The highest percentage of embryogenic callus was obtained with 1.0 mg l-1 2,4-D and leaves with petiole as explants. These were characterized by the presence of compact whitish nodules. Key words: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, somatic embryogenesis, micropropagation, yam