Studies on the Somaclonal Variation of the Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) cv. 'Rojo Brillante' as a Breeding Tool

Abstract

Somaclonal variation is considered to be a useful source of variation in several fruit species. A study was developed for in vitro propagation and plant regeneration using callus from the primordial and young leaves of the persimmon cultivar 'Rojo Brillante', to study in subsequent experiments somaclonal variation for qualitative and quantitative characters. The replacement of FeNaEDTA by FeEDDHA as iron source resulted in shoots of higher quality. Leaf explants taken from in vitro shoots were cultured on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium (MS1/2N) supplemented with various combinations of cytokinin (Z or BA) with different auxins (IAA or NAA). Optimal shoot regeneration was obtained with 9 mg L-1 (42 mu M) zeatin and 0.1 mg L-1 (0.5 mu M) NAA. Under these conditions, more than 20% of organogenic callus induction was obtained.