Field performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theobroma cacao</Emphasis> L. plants propagated via somatic embryogenesis |
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Authors: | Siela N Maximova Ann Young Sharon Pishak Mark J Guiltinan |
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Institution: | (1) The Department of Horticulture, The Pennsylvania State University, 421 Life Sciences Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA;(2) The Pennsylvania State University, 422 Life Sciences Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA |
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Abstract: | Somatic embryogenesis is an in vitro clonal propagation method with potential to contribute to the improvement of cacao varieties. Before using this technology
for commercial production, it is essential that somatic embryogenesis-derived plants be tested in field conditions. Therefore,
we established a field test at Union Vale Estate, Saint Lucia. Thirty- to 50-yr-old trees were selected for clonal propagation
as potentially high yielding based on local farmers observations. Clonal plants were propagated in vitro from immature flowers by embryogenesis and micropropagation. Multiple plants from nine genotypes were acclimated to greenhouse
conditions then returned to Saint Lucia and planted in a field. Orthotropic rooted cuttings and locally propagated open pollinated
seedlings were also planted for a total of 214 trees. Growth data were collected every 4–6 mo. including: stem diameter, stem
height, length of the longest jorquette branch, number of jorquette branches, and dates of first flowering and fruiting. At
4.5 yr after planting in the field there were no major differences in all growth parameters among the propagation methods
evaluated with exception of the orthotropic rooted cuttings. Trees grown from seeds were slightly taller then trees propagated
by the other methods. Trees propagated as orthotropic rooted cuttings exhibited smaller average stem diameters, shorter stem
heights to the jorquette, and shorter jorquette branches. We concluded that somatic embryo-derived plants demonstrated normal
phenotypes in field conditions and have growth parameters similar to plants propagated by traditional methods. |
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Keywords: | Cocoa Somatic embryos Micropropagation Orthotropic rooted cuttings |
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