Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2010

In vitro propagation of sago palm is necessary due to its high economic importance. The optimization of media is one of the most important steps in the establishment of in vitro plant culture systems. Sugars as major source of carbon also act as good osmoticum in culture media. Since there is no research work conducted on their effect on sago palm, this study was conducted to evaluate the influence of various concentrations of sucrose as osmotic regulator on the growth of sago palm explants and to initiate meristematic shoots on explants. Sago palm shoot apical meristem was used as explant and inoculated in half-strength and full-strength modified Murashige and Skoog (MMS) media with sucrose concentration of 0.0 M (control), 0.1 M, 0.2 M, 0.3 M, and 0.4 M. Preliminary experiment showed lower survivability of explants after four weeks of incubation because of contamination. Upon using a new sterilization protocol, higher survivability rate was observed and signs of growth were noted. Explants favored the MS media containing 0.2 M sucrose with osmotic potential -0.507 MPa because of their high increase in weight. Higher osmotic potential was observed to have brown explants after four weeks. However, statistical analysis showed no significant differences among the treatments. Therefore, more study is required to further verify the effects of sucrose and perhaps other osmotic agents on sago palm