Direct shoot regeneration system for date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Dhakki as a means of micropropagation

This study aimed atin vitro multiplication of date palm (cv. dhakki) via direct shoot regeneration. initially,screening of media with various supplements (activated charcoal,citric acid and ascorbic acid) was carried out to evaluate the maximum survival of cultures,followed by the analysis of different explants for their competence for direct shoot regeneration. the explants were cultured on media supplemented with 1 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (naa),3 mg/l 2-isopentenyladenin (2-ip) and 3 mg/l 6-benzyl amino purine (bap). shoot tips revealed the highest capacity for direct shoot regeneration among all the explants tested. following the direct emergence of 2-3 shoots,explants were shifted to various shoot proliferation media. the medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l bap,0.5 mg/l kinetin and 1 mg/l naa proved effective for achieving optimum number of shoots with appropriate length. the rooting medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l naa resulted in maximum number of roots per shoot. however,date palm plantlets rooted on medium containing 0.5 mg/l naa observed with highest survival efficiency after eight weeks of ex vitro transplantation.