STUDY THE EFFECT OF YEAST EXTRACT AND CYTOKININ 2ip ON EMBRYOGENIC CALLUS GROWTH OF DATE PALM

Abstract

The effects of yeast extract on embryogenic callus growth of date palm cv. Ashkar were studied. Various concentrations of yeast extract were used ( 0 , 50 , 100 , 250 , 500 and 1000 ) mg/L with two concentrations of the cytokinin 2ip (0 , 1) mg/L. Results showed that the conc. 250 mg/L in the absence of the cytokinin 2ip gave maximum fresh weight and length of somatic embryos , but this was not significantly differed from the control in dry weight. The conc. 50 mg/L in the presence of the cytokinin 2ip gave the highest number of somatic embryos. In addition, it was observed a browning in embryogenic callus at high concentrations of yeast extract (500 and 1000)mg/L. Thus, it is possible to use the yeast extract for growth of the embryogenic callus, while it is preferred to use yeast extract and cytokinin 2ip together for induction of somatic embryos.