The evaluation of java fine flavor cocoa propagation through somatic embryogenesis technique for germplasm preservation

Abstract

Somatic embryogenesis is one of the newest technology that applied for the mass production of cocoa. This research aims to evaluate the regeneration rate of somatic embryos through somatic embryogenesis propagation techniques on java fine flavor cocoa. Cultivars in this study are ICCRI 01, ICCRI 02, DR 1, DR 2, DRC 16, DR 38, PNT 16, and PNT 30. Observations include parameters to determine the percentage of primary callus and embryogenic callus formation and the number of somatic embryos produced. Based on data, the ability of callus to produce primary embryos is highly dependent on plant cultivars and explant sources. Five cultivars showed a higher regeneration rate using explants from the petal part, while the rest showed a higher regeneration rate using explants from the staminode section. Embryogenic callus from each cacao cultivar has the same basic structure: a nodular friable structure consisting of many embryonic cells. Some fine flavor cacao cultivars that were able to produce callus and primary somatic embryos could not produce secondary somatic embryos and plantlets. However, two cultivars, which had low potential in producing primary embryos, had the high ability to produce secondary somatic embryos and develop into plantlets.