XVI International Botanical Congess

Somatic embryogenesis for Bactris gasipaes H.B.K. is reported here for the first time. Apical buds were exceside from two years old palm from Chocó región of Colombia. Callus culture were first induced in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L biotin, 1.0 mg/L AIA, 2 mg/L 2,4-D, 2 mg/L picloram, 30.000 mg/L sucrose and 15% v/v of coconut water and 1600 mg/L phytagel. The pH was 5.7 and they were placed under dark laboratory conditions. After two months of culture a cluster of nodular and globular mass shape appeared and then gave rise to structures termed as proembryo, embryoids or somatic embryos at high frequency. Further, a great mass of polyembryonic culture continuously developed with whitish, soft, friable features that can be dispersed easily. When the fast growing callus was transferred to a fresh MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/1 biotin, 30.000 mg/l sucrose, 1600 mg/L phytagel, at a pH 5.7 under light room laboratory conditions and 24±°C an intense embryogenesis was observed.