The Effect of Explant Type and 6-Benzyl Adenine (BAP) In Sapodilla (Achras zapota) Micropropagation

Abstract

Sapodilla (Achras zapota) is one type of tropical fruits with high economic value that are easily found in Indonesia. However, the number of productive plants has been decreased and affected the rate of fruit production. The objective of this research is to develop in vitro propagation of Achras zapota through meristem induction to provide great quality seedling. Type of explants (apical and lateral meristem) are cultured on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) and combined with different concentrations of BAP (0 ppm, 2 ppm, 3 ppm, 4 ppm, 5 ppm). Variables observed are shoot, leaf, root (emergence, length, number) and callus formation. The results show that all treatments able to induce shoot and leaf, but only several treatments able to induce root and callus formation. Lateral meristem is an appropriate explant to induce high number of leaves significantly and lateral meristem has the highest rate of multiplication 1.7 with application of BAP 2 ppm. The results can be used as reference to promote shoot multiplication. But further research is needed to determine proper combination to induce shoot multiplication significantly.