The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of storage temperature on fruit and sucrose concentrations on in vitro germination of mature zygotic embryos of macaw palm (Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd ex Mart.). After harvest, the fruits were stored at room temperature (27 ± 2 ºC) or cold (12-15 °C). After this period, the embryos were isolated and immediately inoculated on MS basal medium (MURASHIGE; SKOOG, 1962), supplemented with 100 mg L-1 myo-inositol, 2 g L-1 activated charcoal and 6.5 g L-1 agar Merck®. The experiment was conducted in an completely randomized design in a factorial 2 x 6. The treatments consisted of the combination of two storage conditions of the fruit after harvest (in shade, at room temperature (27 ± 2 ºC) or at 12-15 °C in the dark for 30 days), and sucrose concentrations in the nutrient medium (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 g L-1), with five replications, each consisting of five explants. Zygotic embryos extracted from mature fruits were considered as a source of explants. After 90 days, we assessed the germination of complete seedlings, the percentage of viable seedlings, seedlings with only root primordial issued, and hyperhydric plantlets. There was a higher percentage of germination in embryos isolated from fruits stored at room temperature. Lower percentage of seedlings with root primordia was obtained for fruits under cold storage. The medium supplemented with sucrose at 30 g L-1 contributed to the development of viable or normal seedlings.
Acrocomia aculeata; Embryo culture; in vitro propagation; Palm tree
