BA enhances the germination of oil palm somatic embryos derived from embryogenic suspension cultures

Embryogenic suspension cultures of oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) allow mass propagation of somatic embryos; however regeneration rates are low. Histological observations have revealed that shoot development might be limited by the absence of a caulinary meristem. The addition of 6-benzyladenine during development was found to induce shoot apex differentiation and thus increased germination rates, by up to 70%. However, multiple shoot formation was a consequence of a longer period of cytokinin supply during the development of the embryo. In contrast, a short period of culture on medium with 6-benzyladenine at the begining of embryo development was found to result in single shoot production.