Establishment of Organogenesis Protocol for Genetic Modification of ‘Yellow Pitaya’ Selenicereus megalanthus (Cactaceae)
Zuraida Ab. Rahman *
Biotechnology Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, MARDI Headquarters, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang Selangor, Malaysia
Ayu Nazreena Othman
Biotechnology Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, MARDI Headquarters, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang Selangor, Malaysia
Zainudin Meon
Horticultural Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, MARDI Headquarters, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang Selangor, Malaysia
Aziz Ahmad
School of Science and Food Technology, University Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
Suri Roowi
Food Technology Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, MARDI Headquarter, Persiaran Mardi-UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Arif Zaidi Jusoh
Food Technology Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, MARDI Headquarter, Persiaran Mardi-UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
There is a need to improve the existing germplasm of yellow pitaya (Selenicereus megalanthus), particularly for fruit quality and traits. The genetic transformation requires organogenesis and shoot regeneration protocols. Therefore, the in vitro culture of the plant was successfully established from mature seeds. Results showed that 90% of the seeds were germinated. The plantlets require MS basalt medium for growth. MS added with 2 mg/L BAP (6-benzyldadenine) was suitable for organogenesis and production of explant for other purposes.
Keywords: Selenicereus megalanthus, micropropagation, yellow pitaya, cactaceae