ASSESSMENT OF PROTOCOLS FOR IN VITRO CULTURE OF COCONUT PALM (COCOS NUCIFERA L.)

ABSTRACT

The assessment of media for invitro culture of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) was carried out with a view to achieving possible successful invitro culture of coconut palm. To optimize local environmental factors and achieve the best possible outcome with coconut culture, the research involved scouring a vast amount of literature for crop in vitro propagation media that could have been used for other resilient crops. Thirteen (13) different media which includes modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) 1962 and Eeuwen’s (1972) media, Driver Kuniyuki Walnut (DKW), 1984 and Woody plant (1981) media were identified from either literature or reconnaissance work at NIFOR. These were augmented with various concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators (auxins and cytokinins) leading to an experiment of thirty – nine (39) modified media (treatments). Immature inflorescences and non- chlorophyllous immature leaves of coconut served as explants and were cultured onto the modified media and incubated under dark conditions in the growth room at 25 oC. Bi- weekly subcultures were carried out for eight (8) weeks for induction of callus.