Ortiz Rios, Rodomiro Octavio
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is crucial for the economy of many tropical countries, and high-quality planting material significantly enhances farmers profitability. Conventional breeding methods for oil palm have been slow and largely unsuccessful. In contrast, transgenic approaches offer an alternative solution to improve plants' responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Transgene introgression can modify plant phenology, oil yield, and fatty acid composition. This review considers several key aspects of oil palm genetic transformation and regeneration, focusing on its achievements and limitations as follows: (1) selectable and visual markers and their efficacy in transgenic oil palm; (2) transformation efficiency using both biolistic gun and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods; (3) transgene incorporation showing success and shortcomings of incorporating genes into oil palm; (4) expression transgene analysis to determine suitability as per breeding goals; (5) somatic embryogenesis to facilitate developing transgenic plants across various genotypes; (6) proteomics and transcriptome analyses to identify genes related to callus induction and somatic embryogenesis in oil palm; (7) epigenetic research on explants showing callus induction and including rapid hypomethylation; and (8) regenerated plant material considering flowering defects in clonal propagated material. In summary, this review article highlights the potential of genetic transformation to enhance oil palm traits, while also emphasizing the challenges that remain in this field. Further research will be necessary to overcome these noted shortcomings and fully realize the benefits of transgenic oil palm.
Keywords
In vitro; Recalcitrant; Screening; Somatic embryo; Transcriptome
Published in
Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture
2025, volume: 162, number: 2, article number: 19
SLU Authors
Global goals (SDG)
UKÄ Subject classification
Plant Biotechnology
Agricultural Science
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-025-03130-2
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/143000