Somatic embryogenesis in native cacao from Amazonas using Thidiazuron

Cacao mass propagation of superior genotypes by plant tissue culture is necessary for the implementation and renewal of plantations with quality genetic material. This study aimed to evaluate the regeneration potential of somatic embryos of 10 genotypes of Native Fine Aroma Cacao from Amazonas (CNFA) from the INDES collection, Amazonas, Peru. We measured the effect of varying the concentration of Thidiazuron (TDZ) in the culture medium using staminodes as explant. Results showed that the assessed genotypes reacted differently to the induction process. Although callogenesis achieved an average between 20 and 100%, callus development is not, and however, a guarantee for subsequent embryogenesis with only 5 genotypes in 8 treatments achieved primary somatic embryo formation. Indes_52 genotype produced the highest number of embryos at 20 nM.L-1 of TDZ medium. The genotypes of successful induction obtained embryogenic frequencies between 2-20%, with average values of embryos per explant between 1 and 22. The present work contributes to the adaptation and establishment of methodologies and protocols for the efficient regeneration of somatic embryos in superior CNFA genotype

Keywords: cytokinin, flower explants, micro-propagation, plant growth regulators, Theobroma cacao L.