Comparative growth response of three rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) clones in somatic embryo propagation

Abstract

Abstract Plants have the ability to grow with different responses depending on the clones and varieties of plants. In rubber plants, each clone has specific characteristics or traits that distinguish it from other clones, whether in terms of growth, latex production, or resistance to pests and diseases. The objective of this experiment was to assess the response of three rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) clones to the same media conditions for the growth and development of somatic embryos (SE). Integuments from three rubber clones, namely PB 260, PB 330, and PB 340, were used as explants to induce embryonic callus on MH media. After four weeks post-induction, the callus was sub-cultured to expressed SE then SE was transferred to the RITA® bio-reactor for plantlets development in liquid MD media. Parameters for each steps, such as the percentage of contamination, percentage of callus response, color of callus, percentage of SE induction, number of stage of SE, and number of shoots were recorded. The results revealed that the highest percentage of viable callus was observed in the PB 260 clone at 23.20%. On SE expression, the highest being in clone PB 340 at 2.04%. On SE development the highest shoot growth was observed in the PB 260 clone, with a total of 5 shoots.