The optimized protocol for somatic embryogenesis in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) CV. Estameran

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) production was increased impressively in Iran during 1990 decade. But for some reasons, there are possibility of withdrawing from the world market cycle, such as old groves and use of traditional methods of planting and harvest dates. This study, in order to localize commercial tissue culture propagation dates, on shoot tip explants in Murashige and Skoog (1962) culture medium, supplemented with plant growth regulators including of thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2.4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4.D), at 2 concentrations (5 and 10 mgl-1), via factorial completely randomized design in 3 replicates. In treatment with 5 (mgl-1) TDZ and 2,4-D 10 (mgl-1) were observed the highest levels of callogenesis with high-quality for embryogenesis. Maximum embryo induction and differentiation to somatic embryos was occurred in MS medium with decreased carbon source to 20 mgl-1 in 10 (mgl-1) 2,4-D with 5 (mgl-1) TDZ, treatment. In this study, the time of induction up to formation of callus, was reduced in two weeks and in the fourth week were distinct somatic embryos. Results, was evidence of optimization of the micropropagation instructions in date palm, in order to reduce the duration of embryogenesity and with minimum consumption of 2,4-D and TDZ plant growth regulators.