The goal of this work was to develop a protocol for persimmon cloning through somatic embryogenesis. Zygotic embryos excised from fruits collected from adult plants were tested at several developmental phases. They were collected during 22 weeks after 4 weeks blossoming. The basic medium tested was MS½NO3. Initial induction medium was supplemented with 20 µM 2,4-D + 2 µM kinetin. Dark calluses obtained were transferred to induction medium, with concentrations of 10 and 20 µM 2,4-D + 2 µM kinetin. The calli with pro-embryogenic masses were transferred to a maintenance and multiplication medium, with 2 µM kinetin and 2,4-D at the concentrations of 2.5, 5.0 and 10 µM. Embryogenic masses formed were transferred to a maturation medium supplemented with 0.5 µM IBA and 5, 10 and 20 µM 2iP. Embryos formed were isolated in two conversion media, one with 5 µM 2-iP + 5 µM GA3 and 0.5 µM IBA, and another medium with 0.5 µM GA3 and BAP at 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 µM. Indirect somatic embryogenesis were obtained from mature zygotic embryos collected after 22 weeks, when cultivated in culture medium with 10 µM 2,4D combined with 2 µM kinetin. Embryos maintenance and multiplication were more efficient with 5 µM 2,4-D, in which the pro-embryos advanced to the globular embryos phase. At the maturation phase the concentrations of 2-iP tested promoted globular embryos to more advanced stages of ontogeny, such as cordiform, torpedo and cotiledonary. Supplementation of the culture medium with 1 µM BAP generated better developed plants, with highest number of leaves and size.
Diospyros kaki; tissue culture; fruit production; micropropagation
