In vitro Plant Regeneration from Encapsulated Somatic Embryos of BlackPepper (Piper nigrumL.)

Abstract

A successful encapsulation protocol was developed for somatic embryos of black pepper to produce synthetic seeds.Sodium alginate concentration of 4%(W/V) was ideal at a calcium chloride concentration of 100mM to produce capsules of perfect morphology and sufficient gel strength.encapsulation affected the percentage of germination of somatic embryos depending upon the concentration of sodiumalginate used,with a drastic reduction at 5% and above.Preliminary studies on storage indicated that the somatic embryos encapsulated in 4% sodium alginate can be successfully stored at culture room temprature on agar-gelled SH basal salt solution upto 45 days.Storage at low temperature of 4oC found to be lethal.Non encapsulated somatic embryos were not suitable for storage.Possibily of direct sowing of synthetic seed in the soil was also examined.