Abstract

The Pecan (Carya illinoensis) is the most important species that belongs to the Carya genus. It is cultivated mainly for its nut, which is rich in oils and proteins, and for its good quality wood. Pecan is conventionally propagated by budding or grafting onto rootstocks obtained by open pollination. However, these techniques are not very efficient due to low propagation rates, poor survival and difficult establishment. Therefore, in vitro propagation of pecan can play a very important role in rapid multiplication of cultivars with desirable traits and production of healthy and disease-free plants in a short time. In the present review, the improvements over the years in the propagation of pecans, the refinements of protocols for obtaining high shoot multiplication and regeneration through organogenesis and/or somatic embryogenesis is discussed. Some basics of genetic transformation and its possible benefits are also discussed.

Key words: Pecan, in vitro root induction, shoot multiplication, regeneration, micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis, genetic transformation.

Abbreviation

2,4-D, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; BAP, 6-benzyl aminopurine; IBA, indole-3-butyric-acid; NAA, α-naphthalene acetic acid; TDZ, Thidiazuron; IAA, indole-3 acetic acid; GA₃, Gibberellic acid; ABA, abscisic acid; DKW, Driver and Kuniyuki Walnut medium; MS, Murashige and Skoog; KS, Knox and Smith basal medium; BDS, basal nutrient medium of Dunstan and Short; WPM, woody plant medium; PVP, polyvinyl pyrrolidone; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; PGR, plant growth regulators.