Ploidy induction through secondary somatic embryo (SSE) of oil palm by colchicine treatment.

shaker at 120 rpm in darkness at 25 0 C. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that 0.20% (w/v) colchicine for 24 h gave the most effective result in producing tetraploid plantlets. Morphological and physiological evidence confirmed that tetraploid plantlets had thick and dark green leaves and flowers. Stomata size of tetraploid leaves was larger but lower in density than those of diploid plantlets. The nuclear DNA contents of tetraploid plantlets were two times higher than those of diploid plantlets as compare to standard DNA content of Oryza sativa cv. ‘Nipponbare’.