Somatic embryogenesis in cactus pear "Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill.”: Morphological and anatomical determination of ovular tissue involved in the process.

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Volume 79, Article 3

[Volume 79, Article 3]

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MNA JEDIDI NEJI¹

RYM BOUHLAL BEN HADJ ALOUANE¹

KAOUTHER BEN MAHMOUD²

NOURA JEMAI³

OLFAAYARI¹

AHMED JEMMALI³

¹Laboratory of Horticulture, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia. Rue Hedi Karray, 1004, El- Menzah, University of Carthage-Tunisia.

²Laboratory ofAgronomic Science and Technology, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia. Rue Hedi Karray, 1004, El- Menzah, University of Carthage- Tunisia.

³ Laboratory of Plant Protection, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia. Rue HediKarray, 1004, El- Menzah, University of Carthage -Tunisia.

Abstract - Opuntia ficus-indica, known as prickly pear, is the most important plant species in the Cactaceae family. It is known as a multipurpose use plant with great worldwide interest because of his ecological and socioeconomic virtues such as the combat against erosion and desertification. In prickly pear multiplication by somatic embryogenesis was very important as a first step to induce mutation from suspected fertilized ovules. In this study, our interest has been oriented to identify the origin of somatic embryogenesis initiation. For this purpose, morphological study linked to anatomical investigation, made in the early stages of induction revealed that the tissue involved in this callogenesis was none other than the cambial section of vascular bundle of the funicular tissue.

Keywords: Opuntia ficus indica; Somatic embryogenesis; Ovular Tissue; Anatomical studies.