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Abstract

Optimization of Coconut Micropropagation via Somatic Embryogenesis †

School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia
Presented at the third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, Australia, 11–13 November 2019.
Proceedings 2019, 36(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2019036055
Published: 16 January 2020
(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019))

Abstract

:
Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is one of the most important tropical palm crops worldwide, but the gap between decreasing productivity and expanding demand is growing and is now becoming a major problem. The global coconut industry is threatened not only by palm senility but by pests/pathogen attack which is becoming exacerbated by climate change. However, conventional breeding methods cannot provide sufficient new planting materials to meet the replacement of senile and damaged palms. Hence, coconut clonal propagation via somatic embryogenesis (SE) is being developed to help meet the demand of the growing market. However, with refined medium composition, improved technical skills, optimized environmental conditions, proper acclimatization steps employed and the application of a cell suspension culture step, a much higher multiplication rate can be predicted. Several factors that affect the rate of clonal propagation are being studied: 1) determination of the effect of a non-activated charcoal (AC) medium and 2) the development of culture induction medium composition with a reduced auxin concentration. Results of the study so far show that a non-activated charcoal medium with more frequent subculture (monthly) and a lower auxin concentration is an efficient alternative approach to the traditional mainstream AC-containing medium for the initiation of embryogenic callus. With a better understanding of the callus induction medium composition, and with a liquid cell suspension culture step medium to be applied in the future, should elevate the multiplication rate of clonal plantlet production.

Funding

This research was funded by The University of Queensland.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisor professor Steve Adkins, Mike Foale, Julianne Biddle and Nguyen Thien Quang who helped me on this project. Also, the valuable support from China Scholarship Council is highly appreciated.

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares no conflict of interest.
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Mu, Z. Optimization of Coconut Micropropagation via Somatic Embryogenesis. Proceedings 2019, 36, 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2019036055

AMA Style

Mu Z. Optimization of Coconut Micropropagation via Somatic Embryogenesis. Proceedings. 2019; 36(1):55. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2019036055

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mu, Zhihua. 2019. "Optimization of Coconut Micropropagation via Somatic Embryogenesis" Proceedings 36, no. 1: 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2019036055

APA Style

Mu, Z. (2019). Optimization of Coconut Micropropagation via Somatic Embryogenesis. Proceedings, 36(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2019036055

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