Colchicine Induced Embryogenesis in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Anther Culture

An efficient method to produce doubled haploid plants of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) was established using in vitro colchicine treatment of anthers. For this study end male in florescences were harvested in the appropriate developmental stage. Separated anthers after one day cold (4°C) pretreatment, in uninucleate stage of microspore were transferred to the modified Y3 medium containing different concentrations of colchicines (125- 250-500- 1000 mg/L) for one of four treatment durations (12- 24- 36- 48 hours) and were compared to control anthers (without colchicine treatment). Based on results, different concentrations of colchicine, different exposure times and their interaction had a significant different effect on callus induction. No callus and embryo were produced from control anthers; however, the callus and embryo were induced from colchicine-treated anthers. Among used concentration in the1000 mg/L and 125 mg/L colchicine, the rate of callus induction was very low. In contrast concentration of 500 mg/L and duration of 12 hours had the highest rate of callus induction. In concentration of 500 mg/L and duration of 36 hours some direct embryos were observed. These results indicate that the colchicine treatment of date palm anthers can induce callus and embryo for the production of doubled haploid lines.