Abstract
Some obstacles are associated with in vitro propagation of date palm, such as explant tissue browning, slow callus growth and development, low organogenesis and multiplication efficiency, and frequent tissue vitrification. This investigation studied the effect of five types of gelling agents (Danish Agar, Cero Agar Type 8952, Chile Agar, Gerlite Food Grade, and Agar-Agar.) on in vitro regeneration and bud multiplication of Phoenix dactylifera L. cv. Showathy. The results showed that the highest percentages of callus producing buds and average bud formation (77.78%, 11.5 buds, and 72.23%, 10.9 buds) were obtained in response to 7 g l–1 Danish Agar and Cero Agar Type 8952, respectively. A decrease in browning percentage was observed in tissues cultured in the medium gelled with Danish Agar. Observations showed that Danish Agar and Cero Agar Type 8952 eliminated also shoot vitrification. Compared with other treatments, the total amount of phenolic compounds was significantly reduced to 0.79 and 0.82 mg GAE/g in buds cultured in the media gelled with Danish Agar and Cero Agar Type 8952, respectively. The macronutrient phosphor, calcium, sodium, and micronutrient boron and copper significantly increased in the in vitro shoots regenerated on the media gelled with Danish Agar and Cero Agar Type 8952.