Micropropagation of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivar Gulistan Using Immature Inflorescence Explants
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Current study described micropropagation of commercial date palm cv. Gulistan through juvenile inflorescence explants. Immature spathes (20 cm in length) were excised before emergence from leaf axils in the crown at particular time i.e. early of February. For sterilization, the undissected spathes were dipped in NaOCl solution (40%) for 10 minutes on laminar air flow hood. Medium used for callus formation in the inflorescence explants was consisted of 0.1 mg/L 2,4-D, 0.1 mg/L IAA, 5.0 mg/L NAA induced significantly highest callus (87%) in primary explants. Highest somatic embryogenesis (84%) was obtained on the medium contained 0.1 mg/L NAA, 0.1 mg/L Kinetin. Shoot induction and multiplication (91%) was recorded on the medium consisted of 0.1 mg/L NAA, 0.05 mg/L BA. Leaves number (4.1), leaves length (17 cm), roots number (4.0), roots length (7 cm) were recorded as significantly highest on the medium consisted of 0.1 mg/L NAA. Trimming of embryonic root at 1-2 mm distance from plantlets’ base produced 3-4 adventitious roots. In vitro hardening supported to choose healthy plantlets which survived well in greenhouse. Plantlets’ survival percentage in greenhouse after 1M (88%) as significantly highest was recorded on the soil mixture contained peatmoss, river sand, perlite (1:1:¼ v/v). 46 cm long plantlets produced 4 small fronds/compound leaves, were cultivated in open field. Fruiting in trees started after three years of cultivation in open field. Introduction of elite date palm cultivars like Gulistan via micropropagation will be an addition to the existing cultivars in the area.
Institutions: Shah Abdul Latif University, Agricultural Research Center
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7117462164