ABSTRACT
This study investigated the in-vitro production of callus derived from immature Raphia embryo using varying concentrations of modified Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium and Eeuwens’ medium supplemented with growth regulators. Four growth regulators, Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), Isopentenyladenine (2iP) and Benzylaminopurine (BAP) were used and these gave four media variations namely: (i) MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D in combination with BAP, (ii) MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D in combination with 2iP, (iii) Eeuwens’ medium supplemented with 2,4-D in combination with BAP, and (iv) Eeuwens’ medium supplemented with 2,4-D in combination with NAA.
Data obtained from callus generation from the embryo explants (Raphia embryo) within 2-3 months included: time of initiation of callus, percentage germinating explant and percentage callusing explant. Callus from young embryo of Raphia palm were induced in three media combinations: (i) MS + 2,4-D + BAP, (ii) Eeuwens’ + 2,4-D + BAP, and (iii) Eeuwens’ + 2,4-D + NAA at a concentration ranging from 15ppm-100ppm. Differentiation of shoot and root was achieved on a fourth media combination of MS + 2,4-D + 2iP at a concentration range of 5-30ppm or higher. However, Eeuwens’ medium supplemented with 2,4-D in combination with BAP tended to favour callus production in an optimum concentration found to be 60ppm within 42 days.
