Abstract
The purpose of the present work was to investigate the physical state as affecting reducing hormone concentration on bud and shoot multiplication in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars; Khalas and Sukary, BAP and 2iP in three different combinations (0.3+0.3, 0.5+0.5, 1.0+1.0 mg/l) were tested respectively. The results indicated that low (0.3+0.3 mg/l) concentrations of hormones promoted the formation of bud with significant differences while high 1.0+1.0 BAP+2iP mg/l) promoted plant length significantly. Fresh weight of the culture did not differ significantly in all the concentration used. However, when 1.0 mg/l BAP and 1.0 mg/l 2iP was added to the medium, it gave more callus fresh weigh compared to lower concentrations. Significant correlation coefficients were observed between fresh weight and bud number and fresh weight and the longest plant in both the cultivars.
Khalas cultivar gave positive linear correlation but with fair to poor coefficients of determination r(2) =0.48 and r(2) = 0.3, between fresh weight and bud formation and plant elongation respectively. On the other hand cv. Sukkary gave inverse linear correlation but with poor coefficients of determination value of r(2) = 0.24 which reflect the role of fresh weight on bud formation in khalas cultivar.