The influence of osmotic concentration of media on the growth of Sago Palm (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) in vitro

This study investigated the role of osmotic potential of media on the early growth stages of sago palm in vitro. There were significant effects on the growth rate of explants after four weeks of culture under different sucrose and D-sorbitol combinations. A modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplied with 22.5 g sucrose and 7.5 g sorbitol which created a low osmotic potential environment (-0.457 MPa) had significant effects on the increase in weight of explants. This osmotic potential was found optimal for the initial growth of sago palm explants in vitro. In contrast, explants cultured in intermediate osmotic potential media (-0.380 MPa) obtained little increase in weight. Results suggested that owing to the sago palm's ecology where it is highly adapted to flooding even by saline water, explants likewise prefer a low osmotic potential in in vitro culture.