Leaf transcriptomic signatures for somatic embryogenesis potential of Elaeis guineensis

Potentially embryogenic oil palms can be identifed through leaf transcriptomic signatures. Diferential expression of genes involved in fowering time, and stress and light responses may associate with somatic embryogenesis potential.Abstract Clonal propagation is an attractive approach for the mass propagation of high yielding oil palms. A major issue hampering the efectiveness of oil palm tissue culture is the low somatic embryogenesis rate. Previous studies have identifed numerous genes involved in oil palm somatic embryogenesis, but their association with embryogenic potential has not been determined. In this study, diferential expression analysis of leaf transcriptomes from embryogenic and non-embryogenic mother palms revealed that transcriptome profles from non- and poor embryogenic mother palms were more similar than highly embryogenic palms. A total of 171 genes exhibiting diferential expression in non- and low embryogenesis groups could also discriminate high from poor embryogenesis groups of another tissue culture agency. Genes related to fowering time or transition such as FTIP, FRIGIDA-LIKE, and NF-YA were up-regulated in embryogenic ortets, suggesting that reproduction timing of the plant may associate with somatic embryogenesis potential. Several light response or photosynthesisrelated genes were down-regulated in embryogenic ortets, suggesting a link between photosynthesis activity and embryogenic potential. As expression profles of the diferentially expressed genes are very similar between non- and low embryogenic groups, machine learning approaches with several candidate genes may generate a more sensitive model to better discriminate non-embryogenic from embryogenic ortets.