Effects of Growth Regulators and Type-Variety of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) on Direct Organogenesis

The in vitro organogenesis of embryos of type-variety (‘Albescens’, ‘Nigrescens’, ‘Virescens’ and ‘Idolatrica’) of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) with growth regulators was studied. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, supplemented with nine treatment concentrations of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), alone and in combinations, was used to initiate embryo cultures of the type-variety. Data were collected on time of root production, root length, plant height, number of leaves and number of roots. The results obtained indicated that there were swelling and expansion of the matured zygotic explants in cultures within 7 and 14 days after culture initiation (DCI). Time of root production did not vary significantly among type-variety, but differed significantly (p < 0.001) due to growth regulators, whereas their interaction effect was non-significant. Root length and plantlet height significantly varied (p < 0.05) due to type-variety and growth regulators, as well as their interaction. There were no significant variations among type-variety on number of leaves and roots produced at 84 DCI, but there was significant (p < 0.05) variations on number of leaves and non-significant variance on number of roots due to growth regulators. The type-variety combined with growth regulators effects on number of leaves and roots were not significant. In the present study, the responses of the various type-variety in the regeneration of plantlets in vitro varied with respect to media supplementation and that low concentration of NAA and BAP, alone and in different combinations, favoured root, leaf and plantlet production in MS medium