Desiccation tolerance of embryos of Syagrus oleracea , a cerrado native bitter palm heart

Abstract

There is great interest in seedling production of plant species with ornamental and food potential; however, there is great difficulty in propagating this species. A method of fruit drying was proposed with the goal of evaluating the desiccation tolerance of embryos of guariroba palm Syagrus oleracea. Tissue culture was used to test the effect of different fruit drying times (0, 4, 8 and 12 days) on embryo viability and in vitro germination. Desiccation tolerance of guariroba palm embryos was determined, and a methodology for their in vitro establishment was proposed. The seed water content was estimated from the fruit water content without extracting the seed. Drying at 37±2°C did not negatively affect embryo viability or germination. In addition, contamination of zygotic embryos decreased with increasing drying time. Fruit drying at 37±2°C for 8 days is recommended because it made the embryo extraction easier without embryo viability loss or contamination during the in vitro establishment of guariroba palm. Key words: Desiccation, guariroba, propagation, ornamentation, physiological quality, Arecaceae.