A novel genotype-independent technique for successful induction of somatic embryogenesis of adult plants of Jatropha curcas L. using petiole transverse Thin Cell Layer (TCL)

Developing a protocol for somatic embryogenesis (SE) for adult mother plants of Jatropha curcas, aids to overcome problems such as harvesting time and an uneven yield, providing the opportunity to propagate proven elite genotypes. Until now, several authors have achieved SE in J. curcas using different explants, however, in none of these protocols adult plants have been used as mother plant material. Furthermore, the challenge of overcoming the morphogenesis limitations successfully and further regeneration of adult plants of J. curcas has been great. The main objective of this study was to develop a somatic embryogenesis protocol for adult plants of the oil producing J. curcas. transverse thin cell layers (tTCL) of young petioles were used as explants. Half strength Y3 and MS media were used containing three different concentrations of 2,4-dichloropherioxyacetic acid and 6-benzil-aminopurine in a factorial trial. Nine accessions of J. curcas of various ages (3-12 years.) were tested using this protocol. All accessions responded positively to callus induction and to the induction of somatic embryos, demonstrating the protocol to be genotype-independent. This study enables micropropagation of adult of proven elite plants of J. curcas via somatic embryogenesis.    Key words: Jatropha curcas, transverse thin cell layers (tTCL), somatic embryos, half strength media, regeneration.