Author

M. VENKATESHWARLU , G. ODELU , D. PARVATHI , U. ANITHA DEVI

5 AND T. UGANDHAR

1 2 Department of Botany, University College Kakatiya University Warangal – 506009, Department of

3 Botany, Govt. Degree & P.G. College, Jammikunta-505122, Department of Botany, Govt. Degree &

4 P.G.College Narsampet- 506132, Department of Botany, Govt. Degree & P.G. College for Women

5 Karimnagar- 505001, Department of Botany, SRR Govt. Arts & Science Co

Abstract

Artificial/ Synseed/ Synthetic seeds are produced by encapsulation of plant micropropagules (Somatic embryos, Shoot buds/shoot tips, Calli, Nodal segments, embryogenic masses, protocorms and protocorm like bodies) with specific coating materials. The outer coating matrix provides protection and nutrition to the encapsulated plant tissues. Somatic embryos are the commonly used explant propagule for synseed development. Somatic embryos were coated with alginate for the production of synthetic seeds and their storability for  commercialization was investigated.  Establishment of efficient protocol for the induction of somatic embryogenesis and production of Synthetic seeds from cotyledon explants was achieved in Green gram (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).Smatic embryos were induced directly from cotyledon explants on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium fortified with different concentrations of 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid and (NAA) Naphthaleneacetic acid. Fast growing, yellowish nodular callus lines containing somatic embryos were established on initiation medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D, 3.0 mg/L 2,4-5-T and 2.0 mg/L NAA, respectively. Embryo production was determined by counting embryos at the heart and torpedo stages of development at 21 days. Somatic embryos of rootstock were encapsulated by mixing with sterilized 3% (w/v) Sodium alginate solution containing 3% sucrose. Germination frequency of synthetic seeds at 4 ºC was checked upto 10 weeks, Germination generally did not occur during 10 weeks. This method permitted growth assessment without contamination risk and opens the possibility of an automated control of culture growth for the future up scaling of plant production. Conversion rate of synthetic seeds was higher on medium supplemented with mineral nutrients than on medium without nutrients. Also, when the somatic embryos were coated without mineral nutrients, conversion rate was significantly lower. The addition of sucrose to the capsule had no significant effect on the conversion rate. Synthetic seeds were cold stored at 4°C for two months without significant loss of conversion capacity. The present study reports the first attempts to determine optimal storage time and conditions for conversion of encapsulated somatic embryos of Green gram. 

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