ABA and Polyox-encapsulation or High Humidity Increases Survival of Desiccated Somatic Embryos of Celery

Abstract

Abstract Survival of desiccated somatic embryos of celery (Apium graveolens L. cv. Utah Improved #15) was increased by pretreatment with 10-6 M ABA during the embryo production phase and encapsulation with Polyox, a water-soluble ethylene oxide polymer. Nonencapsulated embryos survived 48 or 72 hr of desiccation at 70% or 90% RH; no embryos survived desiccation at 30% or 50% RH. Embryos encapsulated with Polyox survived 7 to 9 days of desiccation at 70% RH. Embryo survival was generally highest at 3% sucrose with or without embryo encapsulation. Chemical names used: abscisic acid (ABA); ethylene oxide polymer WSR-N-750 (Polyox); 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enylamino)purine (zeatin); 1H-indole-3-acetic acid (IAA); 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D).