Integration of Tissue Culture, Somatic Embryogenesis, and Molecular Biotechnology in Oil Palm
DOI:
10.29303/jbt.v26i4.12368Published:
2026-10-05Downloads
Abstract
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a leading oil-producing crop, yet productivity improvement remains constrained by a long breeding cycle, genotype-dependent tissue culture response, low regeneration efficiency, and potential genetic or epigenetic variation among clones. This review synthesizes advances in tissue culture, somatic embryogenesis, cryopreservation, biotization, biological control, bioinformatics, transcriptomics, and genetic transformation supporting accelerated oil palm breeding. A systematic narrative approach was applied to 20 international journal articles, followed by deduplication, literature matrix extraction, thematic synthesis, and critical analysis. The synthesis indicates that somatic embryogenesis is the central platform for clonal propagation and transformation, but its success depends strongly on explant position, medium composition, culture system, genotype, and hormonal-epigenetic status. Temporary immersion/RITA systems, macronutrient enrichment, auxin-cytokinin combinations, and selection of responsive genotypes improve callus formation, shoot growth, and regeneration. Omics, molecular markers, and DNA methylation analyses provide opportunities to identify biomarkers of highly embryogenic ortets, while cryopreservation supports germplasm conservation.
Keywords:
Elaeis guineensis cryopreservation molecular biotechnology somatic embryogenesis tissue cultureReferences
Abdelghaffar, A. M., Soliman, S. S., Ismail, T. A., Alzohairy, A. M., Latef, A. A. H. A., Alharbi, K., Al-Khayri, J. M., Aljuwayzi, N. I. M., El-Moneim, D. A., & Hassanin, A. A. (2023). In vitro propagation of three date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties using immature female inflorescences. Plants, 12(3), 644. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030644
Astari, R. P., Basyuni, M., Siregar, L. A. M., & Damanik, R. I. M. (2022). Bioinformatics analyses of embryoid genes in oil palm tissue culture (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1115(1), 012034. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1115/1/012034
Astari, R. P., Basyuni, M., Siregar, L. A. M., Damanik, R. I. M., Arifiyanto, D., Affandi, D., & Syahputra, I. (2024). Genotypic effects on accelerated propagation of oil palm breeding materials selected (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) using somatic embryogenesis. Oil Crop Science, 9(2), 111–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocsci.2024.03.005
Babu, B. K., Mathur, R. K., Suresh, K., Ravichandran, G., Susanthi, B., Patil, G. B., Ruthweek, N., & Mahesh, M. (2025). Efficient regeneration protocol for producing true-to-type oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) through somatic embryogenesis from immature male inflorescence. Heliyon, 11(1), Article e41479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41479
Balzon, T. A., Monteiro, T. R., Lopes, R., da Cunha, R. N. V., Gomes, H. T., de Araújo Silva-Cardoso, I. M., ... & Scherwinski-Pereira, J. E. (2026). Clonal propagation of segregating genotypes through somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryos in an interspecific oil palm backcross. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), 165(3), 79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-026-03498-9
Cui, J., Lamade, E., & Tcherkez, G. (2020). Seed germination in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.): A review of metabolic pathways and control mechanisms. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(17), Article 6175. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21176175
Darlis, D., Jalloh, M. B., Chin, C. F. S., Basri, N. K. M., Besar, N. A., Ahmad, K., & Rakib, R. M. (2023). Exploring the potential of Bornean polypore fungi as biological control agents against pathogenic Ganoderma boninense causing basal stem rot in oil palm. Scientific Reports, 13(1), Article 10316. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37507-0
de Araújo Silva-Cardoso, I. M., Gomes, A. C. M. M., & Scherwinski-Pereira, J. E. (2022). Cellular responses of oil palm genotypes during somatic embryogenesis involve participation of procambial cells, DNA demethylation, and auxin accumulation. Plant cell reports, 41(9), 1875-1893. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-022-02898-3
Gomes, H. T., Machado, L. G., Bartos, P. M. C., Balzon, T. A., Costa, F. H. D. S., Azevedo, V. C. R., Cardoso, I. M. D. A. S., de Souza, A. L. X., Inglis, P. W., & Scherwinski-Pereira, J. E. (2024). Somatic embryogenesis in oil palm from immature leaves with emphasis on leaf position, sequential callus re-collection, use of temporary immersion system, and assessment of genetic and epigenetic fidelity of the resulting clones. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 156(1), Article 32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-023-02630-3
Hidayat, F., Pane, R. D. P., Sapalina, F., Listia, E., Koga, T., Winarna, ... & Tashiro, Y. (2024). Long-term application of organic matter improves soil properties and plant growth-promoting bacteria in soil communities of oil palm plantation. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 70(5-6), 393-405. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380768.2024.2380881
Karyanti, Sriherwanto, C., Nurlaila, Khairiyah, H., Sukarnih, T., Rudiyana, Y., & Wibowo, C. S. (2024). Endogenous hormones from the young leaves of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.): A response to in vitro callus and embryoid induction. Journal of Oil Palm Research, 36(1), 63–74. https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2023.0002
Khianchaikhan, K., Aroonluk, S., Phaonakrop, N., Roytrakul, S., Suksirt, M., Pinyokham, P., Thuzar, M., & Jantasuriyarat, C. (2023). Proteomics of oil palm somatic embryogenesis reveals the differentially expressed proteins as candidates for biomarker development. Journal of Oil Palm Research, 35(3), 528–537. https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2022.0062
Lim, S. L., Subramaniam, S., & Mia, M. A. B. (2023). Biotization of in vitro oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and its plant-microbe interactions. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, Article 1150309. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1150309
Martin, J. J. J., Yarra, R., Wei, L., & Cao, H. (2022). Oil palm breeding in the modern era: Challenges and opportunities. Plants, 11(11), 1395. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11111395
Meira, R. O., dos Santos Neves, J., de Araújo Silva-Cardoso, I. M., da Cunha, R. N. V., Lopes, R., de Souza, A. L. X., & Scherwinski, J. (2025). Dual-phase culture system as a promising strategy to enhance the efficiency of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in oil palm (Elaeis oleifera × E. guineensis). Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 162, 51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-025-03154-8
Oliveira, L. B., Motoike, S. Y., Martins Filho, S., Kuki, K. N., de Melo, L. A., & Rocha, D. I. (2024). Silicon supplementation increases the in vitro regeneration of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) somatic embryos. Ciência e Agrotecnologia, 48, Article e019223. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-7054202448019223
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., McGuinness, L. A., Stewart, L. A., Thomas, J., Tricco, A. C., Welch, V. A., Whiting, P., & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, Article n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Rauf, S., Ortiz, R., Al-Khayri, J. M., & Wang, Y. (2025). Achievements and limitations in genetic transformation and regeneration of oil palm: Some molecular aspects. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 162, 19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-025-03130-2
Sahara, A., Roberdi, R., Wiendi, N. M. A., & Liwang, T. (2023). Transcriptome profiling of high and low somatic embryogenesis rate of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq. var. Tenera). Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, Article 1142868.
Setiawati, Y., Riyadi, I., Sari, D. A., Saptari, R. T., Sinta, M. M., Minarsih, H., Turhadi, & Putranto, R. A. (2024). Characterization and morphological development of oil palm transformed callus on modified culture media. Menara Perkebunan, 92(2), 150–158. https://doi.org/10.22302/iribb.jur.mp.v92i2.576
Silva-Cardoso, I. M. D. A., Mendes Gomes, A. C., & Scherwinski-Pereira, J. E. (2022). Cellular responses of oil palm genotypes during somatic embryogenesis involve participation of procambial cells, DNA demethylation, and auxin accumulation. Plant Cell Reports, 41(5), 1275–1288. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-022-02898-3
Sinta, M. M., Saptari, R. T., Riyadi, I., & Sumaryono. (2023a). Optimasi sistem kultur dan media untuk peningkatan tinggi tunas in vitro kelapa sawit. Menara Perkebunan, 91(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.22302/iribb.jur.mp.v91i1.511
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Solangi, N., Mirani, A. A., Jatoi, M. A., Abul-Soad, A. A., Bhanbhro, L. B., Markhand, G. S., Hedayat, M., & Abdi, G. (2025). Field evaluation of tissue culture-derived and offshoot-grown date palm cultivars: A comparative analysis of vegetative and fruit attributes. Frontiers in Plant Science, 16, Article 1516983. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1516983
Suryanti, P., Ayu, I., Purnamasari, M. I., Prihatna, C., Rusmana, I., Wahyudi, A. T., & Suwanto, A. (2024). Characterization of endophytic bacterial isolates from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) seedlings and ramets for their plant growth promoting potential. Biodiversitas: Journal of Biological Diversity, 25(10), 3775. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d251040
Wei, Q., Shi, P., Khan, F. S., Htwe, Y. M., Zhang, D., Li, Z., & Wei, X. (2023). Cryopreservation and cryotolerance mechanism in zygotic embryo and embryogenic callus of oil palm. Forests, 14(6), Article 966. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14060966
Yusnita, & Hapsoro, D. W. I. (2011). In vitro callus induction and embryogenesis of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) from leaf explants. HAYATI Journal of Biosciences, 18(2), 61–65. https://doi.org/10.4308/hjb.18.2.61
Zou, J., Zhang, Q., Zhu, Z., Gao, L., Zheng, Y., & Li, D. (2019). Embryogenic callus induction and fatty acid composition analysis of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis cv. Tenera). Scientia Horticulturae, 254, 86–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2019.02.042
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Fatimah Ayuza Tantri, Siti Fatonah, Rismayanti Rismayanti

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Jurnal Biologi Tropis is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The copyright of the received article shall be assigned to the author as the owner of the paper. The intended copyright includes the right to publish the article in various forms (including reprints). The journal maintains the publishing rights to the published articles.
Authors are permitted to disseminate published articles by sharing the link/DOI of the article at the journal. Authors are allowed to use their articles for any legal purposes deemed necessary without written permission from the journal with an acknowledgment of initial publication to this journal.























