The retrospect and prospect of the applications of biotechnology in Phoenix dactylifera L.

Abstract

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the most important fruit trees that contribute a major part to the economy of Middle East and North African countries. It is quintessentially called "tree of life" owing to its resilience to adverse climatic conditions, along with manifold nutritional-cum-medicinal attributes that comes from its fruits and other plant parts. Being a tree with such immense utility, it has gained substantial attention of tree breeders for its genetic advancement via in vitro biotechnological interventions. Herein, an extensive review of biotechnological research advances in date palm has been consolidated as one of the major research achievements during the past two decades. This article compares the different biotechnological techniques used in this species such as: tissue and organ culture, bioreactor-mediated large-scale propagation, cell suspension culture, embryogenic culture, protoplast culture, conservation (for short- and long-term) of germplasms, in vitro mutagenesis, in vitro selection against biotic and abiotic stresses, secondary metabolite production in vitro, and genetic transformation. This review provides an insight on crop improvement and breeding programs for improved yield and quality fruits; besides, it would undeniably facilitate the tissue culture-based research on date palm for accelerated propagation and enhanced production of quality planting materials, along with conservation and exchange of germplasms, and genetic engineering. In addition, the unexplored research methodologies and major bottlenecks identified in this review should be contemplated on in near future.

Advances in biotechnology of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. syn. Phyllanthus emblica L.: a nutraceuticals-rich fruit tree with multifaceted ethnomedicinal uses

“…Somatic embryo induction Somatic embryogenesis is the development of an embryo from somatic cells of the plant under suitable conditions. It plays a vital role in woody plants for clonal propagation, cryopreservation, and can also be beneficial towards synthetic seed production for germplasm exchange (Gantait et al 2018 ). Somatic embryogenesis (direct as well as indirect via.…”

Effect of Vitamins (pyridoxine and nicotinic acid), Thiamine-Hcl and Myo-Inositol at Different Concentrations on Free Amino Acids and Indoles Content of Embryogeinic Callus of in vitro Date Oalm (Sakkoty and Bartamuda Cultivar)

“…Date palm tree Phoenix dactylifera L. is a multipurpose tree from whole tree, the cultivation of this crop was distributed in North Africa and Middle East specially in Arabian Peninsula. Date palm tree can accumulate many chemicals in their tissues, as primary metabolites containing carbohydrates and proteins, and secondary metabolites which are produced from primary ones [3,4]. The yield of secondary compounds in plants cells can be enhanced by precursor feeding in culture medium it has been a normal and a popular approach to increase this bioactive compounds [5].…”

Effect of some Micro-Elements on Steroids Production from Embryogenic Callus of in vitro Date Palm Sakkoty and Bartamuda Cultivars

“…Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a member of (Arecaceae) family it is a heterozygous and dioecious tree it was known in ancient Egypt since 4000 years ago and this fact can be simply indicated from date palm inscriptions appearing on the walls of ancient Egyptian temples. In general, the importance of this tree all over in its cultivation region in North Africa and the Middle East was referred to the numerous advantages from its fruits and from the tree as a whole [1]. Biotechnology approach has a great deal for the production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals from in vitro plant cell culture [2].…”