Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis of jacket plum (Pappea capensis)

Abstract

The study was undertaken to identify an effective culture growing system for mass multiplication of jacket plum (Pappea capensis) through somatic embryogenesis. Calli derived from leaf sections were transferred onto Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different supplements. The most effective medium for callus induction was MS supplemented with 0.1 mg litre−1 thidiazuron (TDZ) alone or with 0.1 mg litre−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or a combination of 1.0 mg litre−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.2 mg litre−1 benzylaminopurine (BAP). Light exposure promoted embryo induction. Three-quarter strength MS medium supplemented with 0.05 mg litre−1 TDZ and 0.3 mg litre−1 casein hydrolysate (CH) was effective for embryo germination and the most effective culture medium for plantlet conversion was three-quarter strength MS supplemented with 0.2 mg litre−1 BAP and 0.3 mg litre−1 CH. There was 60% survival of plants under a mist propagation chamber. The study shows that it is possible to improve P. capensis somatic embryogenesis through manipulation of some culture medium constituents and incubation conditions. © 2008 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.