The effect of in vitro germination in maintaining germination levels over time in storage for two cultivars of Coffea arabica L.

Mature seeds of Coffea arabica L. cvs Caturra and Catimor stored for 0-18 months were evaluated for germination and growth in a greenhouse. Zygotic embryos were isolated, germinated in vitro and after germination grown in a greenhouse. We observed high in vitro germination (75-100%) with time versus a sharp decrease in germination percentage (100-25%) in a greenhouse after a few months of seed storage. The low germination percentage in the greenhouse after 18 months of seed storage could not be attributed to loss of embryo viability or environmental conditions; it may have been due to endosperm tissue deterioration.