Micro propagation of desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca L. Del.)‎

Abstract

This study was carried out in the biotechnology research center, Tripoli, Libya in order to determine the best protocol for micro propagation of desert date Balanites aegyptiaca (L.)Del. The results indicated that the percentage of seed germination reached 90% when cultured on Murachige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 2mg/ L of Gibberellic  acid (GA₃) after storing the seeds for four weeks at 25^oC.The results also indicated that culturing nodal segments (explants) on MS medium containing  Benzyl adenine (BA) at concentration of 0.5 or 1.0 mg/ L   gives  the highest mean of shoot length (4.55 and 5.15 cm Respectively)  and highest mean number of leaves (14.0 and 15.8 leaves per shoot respectively). For rooting; shoots were cultured in to ¹/₂ MS (half strength micro and macronutrient) hormone free medium which gave the highest root formation (100%).The result also revealed that survival percentage of plantlets has reached 80% under unconditioned plastic green house. A protocol for micro propagation of desert date plant is described starting from explants excised from seeds to acclimation in plastic green house.

Key words: Desert Date, Micro-propagation, Gibberellic acid (GA3), seed germination.