Micropropagation of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. cv. Samany) through somatic embryogenesis and organogenesis methods have been studied in this investigation. Aged tree and juvenile offshoot of date palm were used as source of explants. Shoot tips and leaf primordia were isolated from those two sources to be used as two types of explants. The response of the two types of explants was examined when they cultured on two different nutrient media (M1 and M2), where M1 medium was modified MS contained NOA (5mg/l), NAA (5mg/l), Kin (3mg/l) and 2iP (3mg/l) and M2 medium was MS contained 2,4-D (100 mg/l) and 2IP (3 mg/l).
Results indicated that there was no significant difference between shoot tips and leaf primordia derived from either aged tree or juvenile offshoot for their effect on survival percentage, while, the degree of oxidative browning on M1 medium was significantly lower than M2 medium. After 8 weeks or even 4 months, all examined explants formed callus on M2 medium as compared to M1 medium, which showed no callus formation. Interestingly, results proved that leaf primordia of both sources cultured on M1 medium stimulated direct organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis after 4 months of incubation. In that concern, shoot tips of both sources did not observe any direct morphogenetic responses. Growth and development of the previously obtained adventitious buds as well as repetitive somatic embryos have been optimized on hormone-free M1 medium. Roots were induced in MS basal medium contained NAA (0.2 m /L), and mostly, the addition of charcoal to the rooting medium had no visible effect on root formation. At acclimatization stage, it was found that, using of induced the maximum survival rate and growth vigor for plantlets after 3 months under greenhouse conditions compared to those produced under the other tested soil mixtures. Finally, results strongly reflected that, leaf primordia of aged tree or offshoots are a promising explants on M1 medium for the mass production of true-to- type plants since the callus stage is avoided.