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

An efficient method for producing doubled haploid plants of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) was established using in vitro colchicine treatment of anthers. To this study male inflorescences 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 colchicine (125- 250- 500- 1000 mgl-1) 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 1000 mgl-1 and 125 mgl-1, the range of callus was very low, and also the 500 mgl-1 concentration and duration of 12 hours had the highest range of callus. In concentration of 500 mgl-1 and duration of 36 hours some direct embryo was observed. These results indicate that the colchicine treatment of date palm anthers can induce callus and embryo for the production of doubled haploid lines.