A southern african survey conducted for off-types on date palms produced using somatic embryogenesis

Abstract

A survey was conducted in the Republic of South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe on off-types of date palms produced using somatic embryogenesis. Off-types reported included leaf variegation, compact growth, seedless fruits, a low pollination percentage in one variety and leaf and spine structure variations. Possible explanations include environmental and physiological factors, human error and somaclonal variation due to tissue culture processes.