Orthodox Behaviour of Oil Palm Seed and Cryopreservation of the Excised Embryo for Genetic Conservation

Abstract

Dessiccation experiments have shown the oil palm seed to be orthodox, not recalcitrant, in character. There is a significant difference in water content between the whole seed and the embryo which is maintained despite desiccation, and results in the failure of sub-zero storage of whole seeds. The successful recovery of viable, excised embryos from liquid nitrogen, and their subsequent regrowth in vitro, suggests a practical technique for the long term conservation of the genetic resources of the species