Patterns of somartic development in mango (Mangifera indica L.) var 'carabao'

English. The 'carabao' or 'Manila Super' mango (mangifera indica L.) is the most important and popular variety in the Philippines both for local consumption and for export (third after banana and pineapple). Its improvement through biotechnology is hampered by a reliable somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration protocol. In 2002, Pateña et.al. developed a simple protocol for somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration, ie. the explant tissue, the media and culture conditions were identified. This study presents the patterns of somatic embryo development in a polyembryonic variety of mango, 'carabao', and shows a technique for its micropropagation. Nucellar explants, from seeds of fruits (about 2-3 cm long) harvested 1-2 months after flowering, were induced to form somatic embryos in Gamborg's B5 and Barba and Pateña's BP media with 0.5 mg/L, 2,4-D, 400 mg/L glutamine, 60 g/L sucrose, 100 ml/L coconut water with 2.5 g/L gelrite (pH 5.7). Soma tic embryos were subcultured once in the same medium and then harvested for anatomical study. They were soaked in formalin-acetic acid (FAA) solution and analyzed under an Olympus MIC-D microscope at the UPLB National Institute of Biotechnology and Microbiology (BIOTECH). Results revealed three pattern of somatic embryo (SE) development: 1) development of initial (primary, deg)from the explant; 2) development of Se's (2 deg, 3 deg...n deg) from previously formed SE's; and 3) development of SE's from expanded cotyledonary tissues of germinating SEs. Ses continuously formed when subcultured regularly (1-2 months interval). This revelation shows that SE's can be multiplies in quantities and can be regenerated into plantlets (which is the subject of another study). This indicates that micropropagation of mango can be achieved utilizing these patterns of SE development.

English. Scientific Conference of the Federation of Crop Science Societies of the Philippines Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City (Philippines) 2-6 May 2005