Evaluation of stability and uniformity in tissue culture-date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) plants of cv. Berhee by using morphological characteristics

Abstract

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera . L) is a dioecious, monocot and tropical fruit that requires pollination for fruit set and economically production. It is propagated by offshoot routinely. The low number of offshoot and short time of offshoot production are considered as the most disadvantages for its propagation. Since 20 th century, propagation of date palm through tissue culture techniques is conducted. Embryogenesis and organogenesis are the two main techniques for in vitro propagation of date palm. Somaclonal variation is the most problem in tissue culture of date palm that impose difficulties for growers. So, finding the easy and inexpensive method to control stability and uniformity are the most important factors in tissue culture propagation of date palm. In this experiment, we evaluated the qualities of tissue culture date palms c.v Berhee by analysis of some morphological characters. There was a lot of variation between propagated trees. It was noticed that some morphological factors can be considered as key factors to screen the type and off-type trees in this cultivar.