Abstract
In this study, various concentrations of sodium alginate solutions and calcium chloride solutions were tested in order to optimize the size, shape and texture of alginate synthetic seeds or beads for Acacia hybrid bud-sprouting. The shoot buds and axillary buds from in vitro Acacia hybrids, as explants were encapsulated with 2 to 5% sodium alginate (w/v) in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) free of calcium salt solution solvent and exposed to 25 to 100 mM calcium chloride solution (CaCl2.2H2O). Rounded beads were observed by the encapsulation with alginate 3% and exposed to 75 to 100 mM CaCl2.2H2O combinations and; the encapsulation with alginate 4 to 5% and exposed to any CaCl2.2H2O combinations. The produced synthetic seeds were then tested on the plantlets regeneration ability. The germination rate was within 73.3 to 100% in the duration of 6 to 20 days. It showed that encapsulation at any alginate concentrations and exposed to any of the CaCl2.2H2O concentrations, gave high germination frequency. These plantlets could then be used as the source of explants for the subsequent experiments. The synthetic seeds have the possibility of being an alternative planting material meant for forestry sector in the future, especially for the highly demanded species. Key word: Acacia hybrid, synthetic seeds, encapsulation, alternative planting material.
Highlights
The idea of synthetic seeds or artificial seeds was first conceived by Murashige in 1977
It had been considered that the induction of somatic embryogenesis (SE) and/or pollen embryogenesis which genetically differs from zygotic embryogenesis is the prerequisite for the preparation of synthetic seeds
Synthetic seed refers to encapsulated explants such as shoot tips, axillary buds and somatic embryos in cryoprotectant material like hydrogel, alginate gel, ethylene glycol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and others that can be developed into a plant
Summary
The idea of synthetic seeds or artificial seeds was first conceived by Murashige in 1977. The development of synthetic seeds had been restricted to encapsulation of somatic embryos in a protective jelly. It had been considered that the induction of somatic embryogenesis (SE) and/or pollen embryogenesis which genetically differs from zygotic embryogenesis is the prerequisite for the preparation of synthetic seeds. Synthetic seed refers to encapsulated explants such as shoot tips, axillary buds and somatic embryos in cryoprotectant material like hydrogel, alginate gel, ethylene glycol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and others that can be developed into a plant. The coating protects the explants from mechanical damage during handling and allows germination and conversion to occur without inducing undesirable variations (Harikrishna and Ong 2002). They behave like true seeds and sprout into seedlings under suitable conditions
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