Indirect and direct somatic embryogenesis in root explant of the Coffea arabica L. (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

In the application of indirect and direct somatic embryogenesis in Coffea arabica, leaf explants are normally used. There are no reports in the literature on the use of root-type explants in somatic embryogenesis of this species. However, root-type explants are used to induce somatic embryogenesis in different species. The aim in this study was to verify the ability of indirect and direct somatic embryogenesis in C. arabica root explants. For this purpose, 1 cm long root explants obtained from in vitro plants of the cultivar Catuaí Vermelho IAC 81 were inoculated in means of induction of indirect and direct somatic embryogenesis, in the absence of light, at 25 oC. In the indirect way, the explants formed calluses and then somatic embryos. In the direct path, the root segments formed only somatic embryos and the explants did not show any change in their external morphology. The results obtained indicate that explants of the root type of C. arabica from the cultivar Catuaí Vermelho IAC 81 have the capacity to form somatic embryos by indirect and direct somatic embryogenesis.

Keywords

• Callus
• 2,4 D
• 2-iP
• kinetin
• somatic embryo