Clonal multiplication of oil palm enables the formation of commercial plantations with higher yield, which is possible through somatic embryogenesis. However, due to different modifications made in the existing protocols to avoid the appearance of the “mantled flower”, the success of this technique has been limited. Thus, this study aimed to apply a cloning protocol, using somatic embryogenesis, to 32 elite oil palm genotypes from a commercial plantation on which cytokinin was substituted with putrescine. All tested genotypes responded positively to callus induction. Moreover, the percentages of responses were differentiated: 65.62% of these genotypes produced embryogenic lines, and 40.62% out of that percentage presented lines with moderate or high multiplication capacity, which is the main factor that enabled the obtaining of clones to form a commercial clonal plantation. The somatic embryogenesis was efficient, making this protocol applicable at a commercial scale, since it allows the obtaining of clones up to 360 days. However, future evaluations on these clones are needed to investigate the appearance of the “mantled flower”. Key words: Cloning, polyamines, tissue culture, commercial plantation.

The identification of genotypes more tolerant to water deficit is a challenge to breeding programs. In this research, our objectives were to identify and validate traits for tolerance to water deficit in eucalypts. The estimation of genotypic parameters and early selection are proposed based on mixed models, selection indexes and validation schemes. Seedlings with 110 days were grown in a greenhouse for 12 weeks, and two water deficit treatments were conducted (polyethylene glycol and water limitation). A total of 26 biomarkers were evaluated, and 15 of them were significant, exhibited adequate heritability, and used for screening: final plant height, increment in height, increment in diameter, area of mature and fully expanded leaf, nutrient contents of N, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Zn, Mn and B, photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (gs). Both treatments were adequate to discriminate water deficit-tolerant clones. The ranking of tolerant clones according to their phenotype in the field demonstrates the potential for early selection and is consistent with the maintenance of water-deficit-tolerance mechanisms until adulthood. There is evidence that the choice of biomarker depends on the species involved and different strategies contributing to the tolerance trait.