ABSTRACT

The use of silicates in plant tissue culture has resulted in positive effects regarding the morphological, anatomical and physiological characteristics of in vitro plants. However, biological responses to this mineral are dose and genotype dependent. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of silicon supplementation on the somatic embryogenesis of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). The study was carried out in three stages of the cloning process, namely: Regeneration (i) and germination (ii) of somatic embryos and during ex vitro acclimatization (iii) of regenerated plantlets. The culture media were supplemented with four doses (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g L^-1) of calcium silicate (CaSiO₃). The resulting plantlets were transplanted and acclimatized in a greenhouse. The regression analysis showed that the dose of 0.63g L^-1 of CaSiO₃ induced a higher rate of regeneration, which would allow a 58% increase in the number of somatic embryos formed. However, the germination of the plantlets, as well as their morphometric characters, were not affected by the different doses of CaSiO₃, although the presence of this compound promoted an increase in the thickness of the epidermis and a reduction in the amount of epicuticular wax. Overall, silicon does contribute to the cloning of E. guineensis.

Index terms:
Arecaceae; micropropagation; oil palm tree; silicate; somatic embryogenesis.