Zygotic embryos in different developmental stages were used to study the in vitro germination potential and embryogenic competence. Fruits harvested from 15 to 360 days after the anthesis were measured to the diameter (mm), length (mm) and fresh mass (g). For in vitro germination, zygotic embryos in different developmental stages were inoculated on Murashigue & Skoog (MS) medium or MS medium supplemented with 4.4 muM of BAP, sucrose (3%), agar (0.6%) and activated charcoal (0.15%). For the in vitro somatic embryogenesis induction, embryonic axis in different developmental stages were inoculated on MS culture medium, supplemented with 2,4-D (0, 9, 18, 72 e 144 muM), sucrose (3%), agar (0.6%) and activated charcoal (0.15%). The fruit and zygotic embryo showed some growth up to 180 days after flowering, increasing after this period until the last harvested (360 days after the flowering). The in vitro germination was observed in immature embryos collected 240 days after the flowering, with average of 40%. In the last harvesting the germination average was 80%. Embryogenic cultures were induced on MS culture medium containing high concentrations of 2,4-D (72-144 muM) in embryonic axis collected 150 days after flowering. Embryogenic cultures of O. odorifera were maintained in vitro, on MS culture medium without plant growth regulators, by repetitive secondary embryogenesis.
zygotic embryos; somatic embryogenesis; in vitro germination; woody plant; Lauraceae
