Somatic Embryo (SE) Formation from Culturing Floral Explants of Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) and Assessment of Genetic Stability by RAPD and SSR Markers

Abstract

Rubber tree is economically important rubber producing plant of Thailand. At present, a rubber tree plantation is susceptible to white root disease. Therefore, the use of rootstock from early introduce clone that proved to be resistant to white root disease could help sustain growing of rubber tree. Thus, the objectives of this research were to study the effects of plant growth regulators and different explants on somatic embryo (SE) induction of this rubber clone and assessment genetic stability. The results revealed that mix flower explant cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 1.5 mg/L 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) provided callus subsequent somatic embryo (SE) formation at the highest frequency of 39.84 % and number of cotyledonary embryos (CEs) at 3.25 embryos /callus after 3 passages of subculture in the same culture medium (4 weeks/passage). SEs germinated into embryonic axis at 50 % and further development into shoot at 25 % after transfer to 0.25 mg/L GA3 containing MS medium with the best concentrations of BA and 2,4-D for 4 weeks. The assessment gene stability by RAPD and SSR markers showed no variation between mother plant and in vitro plantlets. In this work, a novel explant source - the floral section of the rubber tree - was used for the first time in order to design an effective technique for in vitro somatic embryogenesis. HIGHLIGHTS The first report on plantlets regeneration using floral explant of rubber tree This mother plant is proved to be resistance to Phytopthora leaf fall and white root diseases Assessment genetic stability of regenerated plantlets by SSR and RAPD markers GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT