INDIRECT SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS ON MUTANTS OF Agave tequilana WEBER CULTIVAR BLUE INDUCED WITH CO60 GAMMA RAYS

Abstract

Background: Blue agave (Agave tequilana Weber var. azul), it is commonly known as “Agave azul or agave tequilero”. The Agave crop is fundamental part of the productive chain Agave-Tequila, since is the distinctive source of reducing sugars for the elaboration of the liqueur known as Tequila, according with the Appellation of Origen Tequila to fulfill the National Normativity (NOM-). Besides, Tequila is the most spirit drink exported from Mexico worldwide. According with the latest evaluation over this crop, the susceptibility to pathogens generate in cases total lost of the agave fields. Objective. to achieve somatic embryos that could be resistant, generated from plantlets irradiated with Co60gamma rays; which were obtained from axillary buds. Methodology: The arisen of embryo was reached in the modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with of 2,4-D combined with BA or KIN. The plantlets were radiated 12 weeks after the somatic embryo induction with Co60 gamma rays. The doses were 0 (test control), 10, 20 and 30 Gy. Results: There was a significant difference in the induction of embryonic callus, development and mature somatic embryos, which were reduced as the doses of radiation increases. Since only somatic embryos were achieved in tissues treated with 10 and 20 Gy doses, in higher doses induction of embryonic callus was inhibited. The regression confirmed the negative results with the increase of radiation. Implications: There were made protocols to achieve somatic embryos and plants from tissues irradiated with 10 and 20 Gy. Conclusions: The radiation effect over somatic tissue was crucial as the doses affect the conversion into plantlets, nevertheless such radiation allowed the conversion of the embryos to complete agave plantlets