ABSTRACT
Encapsulated somatic embryos and zygotic embryos for obtaining artificial seeds of rauli-beech (Nothofagus alpina (Poepp. & Endl.) Oerst.)

Priscila Cartes R.1*, Hermes Castellanos B.2, Darcy Ríos L.1, Katia Sáez C.3, Scarlette Spierccolli H.1, y Manuel Sánchez O.1
 
Somatic and zygotic embryos from mature seeds of rauli-beech, Nothofagus alpina (Poepp. & Endl.) Oerst., were encapsulated in different artificial endosperms in order to generate a cover that fulfills the function of nourishment and protection of the embryos, facilitating their later germination. The content of sodium alginate varied by 4%, 3%, and 2%, as did the immersion time in calcium chloride (CaCl2), which acts as complexing agent. The artificial endosperm components of the Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) were added, supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 indolacetic acid (IAA), 0.5 mg L-1 naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 2 mg L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 30 g L-1 sucrose. The germinative behaviors of encapsulated somatic and zygotic embryos were evaluated after 4 wk. Comparing the percentages of germination reached by encapsulated somatic and zygotic embryos it was observed that they had similar germinative behavior according to the type of encapsulation applied. However, zygotic embryos substantially exceeded the germination levels reached by somatic embryos, 100% vs. 45% respectively.
Keywords: rauli-beech, somatic embryogenesis, synthetic seed, sodium alginate
1 Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile. E-mail:
*Corresponding author (priscicartes@udec.cl).
2 Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas, Avda. Esteban Iturra s/n - Barrio Universitario, Concepción, Chile.
3 Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Instituto de Silvicultura e Industria de la Madera, Boulevard del Guadiana 501 Fraccionamiento, Ciudad Universitaria C.P. 34120, Durango, México.