Somatic Embryogenesis, Plantlet Regeneration and Micropropagation of Cultivars and F1 Hybrids of Manihot esculenta

Explants of four F₁ hybrids (OMR 36-41/1, OMR 36-41/2, OMR 36-41/4 and OMR 36-41/5) and two cultivars (Rayong 1 and Rayong 60) of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) were subjected to different combinations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), kinetin (KIN) and N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP) to induce somatic embryogenesis, organogenesis and micropropagation. Shoot apices of the F₁ hybrids exhibited higher frequency (62 – 74 %) of proliferation of somatic embryos than the cultivars (21 – 43 %) in Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 8 mg dm⁻³ 2,4-D and 0.5 mg dm⁻³ NAA. Nodal explants of regenerated plantlets were rapidly micropropagated with 90 % efficiency on a medium containing 0.1 mg dm⁻³ NAA and 0.05 mg dm⁻³ BAP irrespective of explant source. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.