Advancements and future prospects in micropropagation techniques for major palm species: Date palm, oil palm, arecanut, and coconut

Abstract

Palms are widely distributed across warm temperate, tropical, and subtropical regions, showcasing their ecological significance and adaptability to diverse environments. Classification schemes play a crucial role in organizing the vast diversity of palms and provide valuable insights into their evolutionary adaptations. These frameworks enhance our understanding of key species such as date palms, oil palms, and coconuts. Micropropagated palm seedlings are economically essential for global palm industries of food, biofuel, and cosmetics, because they ensure consistent growth, increased yield, and disease resistance. Clonal propagation of superior cultivars is made possible by this technique, maximizing land utilization and increasing yield per hectare. Micropropagated seedlings support large-scale commercial plantations and promote sustainable agriculture in response to the growing demand for palm-derived products worldwide. Furthermore, governments and research- driven initiatives are fostering the adoption of tissue culture methods to meet market needs. To facilitate large-scale propagation, micropropagation techniques have been developed for palms, such as date palms, oil palms, coconuts, and arecanuts. These techniques produce consistent, disease-free planting materials through tissue culture. However, despite their potential, tissue culture techniques face challenges, including low effectiveness, high rates of contamination, and scaling limitations, particularly due to the recalcitrant nature of palm tissues to in vitro conditions. Improvement in tissue culture methods can support sustainable agriculture, drive economic growth, and conserve biodiversity. By enhancing propagation techniques, tissue culture has the potential to address global issues such as environmental sustainability and food security. To fully realize the potential of palms and ensure their continued use in industry and agriculture, further research and development in palm micropropagation are essential.