Somoclonal Variations- It is desirable to minimise callus formation during shoot bud or SE regeneration since callusing increases the risk of somaclonal variations. For example, about 5% of the oil palm plants derived from SE s show increased tendency of feminization, which reduces productivity; the frequency of these aberrations increases with the duration of in vitro culture.

But large scale production of SE s involves cell proliferation as proembryogenic cell masses; therefore, it may be necessary to evaluate such systems for genetic instability. In view of this, proliferation of axillary buds and formation of protocorms/ bulbs (without any callus phase) are much more desirable routes for micropropagation.