ADVANCED STUDIES ON IN VITRO FORMATION OF SYNTHETIC SEEDS OF DATE PALM

Abstract

Conversion frequency after encapsulation in a sodium alginate matrix o somatic embryogensis (SEs) of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) C. V. Samani was evaluate. SEs were hydrogel encapsulate using 4% sodium alginate dissolved in distilled water and I OOmCa(No 3),. 4H 20 within an ion exchange duration for 30 min. to produce synthetic seeds. Beads of uniform size. sufficient firm kept their viability and ability to conve11 to shoots and roots with considerable delay in conversion frequency when incubated at 20±1 cc day and night temperature under dark condition. The frequency of in vitro conversion into plant lets of synthetic seeds was affected by different nutrient additives included in the encapsulating matrix. The synthetic seeds with MS nutrient and 0.1 M sucrose in the capsule had highest conversion frequency. Less resistance to rupture of gel beads resulted from adding gel rite to the sodium alginate.

The highest plantlets formation frequency was observed on half-strength of MS basal nutrient medium solidifid with 6 or 8 g/1 a gar. Liquid media were unsuitable to prolong conversion frequency duration all encapsulated SEs failed to occur conversion frequency on mannitol conversion medium, will encapsulated SEs maintain their viability and regrowth ability through 12 weeks on sorbitol conversion medium. An excellent condition for encapsulated SEs to get a highest significant conversion fi•equency and maintain them for medium term storage was applied by adding GA 3 to conversion medium with reduction strength to eighth or quarter MS medium. While mannitol combined with sucrose or sorbitol lead to reduce the percentages of conversion frequency but offer prolong duration of conversion frequency. Addition of ABA to either gel matrix or conversion medium decreased significantly the conversion frequency(%).

The a11ificial endosperm supplied to the capsule serve as a reservoir of nutrients to the SEs allowed storage tolerance and retrained their viability to convert into shoots and roots after 6 months storage duration at low temperature (4±1 °C). Encapsulated SEs with double testa by rinsed within ion exchange duration of 10. min during the first testa formed and rinsed with sterilized distilled water between the formation of the first and second testa extended conversion frequency duration up to 6 months with highest