Bactris gasipaes, also known as pejibaye or peach palm is widely grown in Central and South America. MPOB has obtained seeds from Hawaii, Costa Rica and the Department of Agriculture, Sabah. The palms are established in MPOB Research Station, Kluang. The Department of Agriculture, Sabah, is also maintaining a small collection of Bactris palms. Bactris is generally propagated by seeds and vegetatively via suckers and in vitro culture of shoot apices. However, it was reported that the process was slow and difficult to establish (Castillo, 1998). A reliable tissue culture technique using roots from in vitro grown seedlings has been developed.

Main Researcher: Rohani Othman 
Email: rohani@mpob.gov.my