Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Somatic Embryogenesis Using Immature Inflorescence Explants

Abstract

The commercial importance of coconut products has been growing very rapidly in whereas the production of nuts is decreasing because of old age and disease such as those caused by phytoplasmas. In order to maintain the growing coconut industry it is very important that most coconut cultivation surface is renewed worldwide in a short time. This cannot be achieved by seed propagation and the alternative is micropropagation through somatic embryogenesis. A protocol for such a process is described and it is based on the use of rachilla explants from immature inflorescences. The use of this type of explant allows us to clone mature palms of known performance. This protocol involves the use of different media based on the formulation of Y3 medium and additional components. These media are useful for the induction of embryogenic callus from the explants, the formation of somatic embryos on these calluses, germination of somatic embryos and their conversion into plantlets.