THE IN VITRO MORPHOGENETIC CAPACITY OF OLIVE EMBRYOS, AS AFFECTED BY THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE AND THE L-ARGININE AND L-GLUTAMINE CONCENTRATION IN THE NUTRIENT SUBSTRATE

The effect of exogenously applied L-glutamine (Gln) and L-arginine (Arg) on the morphogenetic capacity of cotyledonary explants of olive embryos, cv.
Chalkidikis, was investigated.
Embryos were tested at four stages of development.
Cultures were established on ½MS medium supplemented with 0.5mg/L 2,4-D, lmg/L BA and combinations of different concentrations (0, 500, 1000 mg/L) of the two amino acids.
Observations and measurements were made of growth, survival, chlorophyll a and b content, callus initiation and embryonic-like structures (closely resembling sphaeroblasts of mature olive trees). Addition of Gln increased or did not affect the formation of these structures.
The presence of Arg generally had a negative effect on explant development and survival.
Somatic organogenesis appeared to be dependent on the embryo age (physiological and developmental stage). Callus formation and organogenetic ability were higher around 126 days AFB and were still maintained after 4 months in storage.

III International Symposium on Olive Growing

T.S. Pritsa, D.G. Voyiatzis

Olive, morphogenesis, embryogenesis, amino acids, cotyledonary explants

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.474.14