The effects of sugars on maturation and conversion of geranium ( Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) embryos.

The effect of various concentrations of sucrose and glucose on maturation and conversion of geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey) somatic embryos was investigated at Guelph, Ontario, Canada in 1994 and 1995. Somatic embryos were induced on medium with 20 M thidiazuron for 3 days then matured on media with 3, 6 and 9 % sucrose or glucose, 21 days from the start of culture. Glucose (6 %) and sucrose (6 and 9 %) significantly improved maturation frequency of somatic embryos compared to 3 % sucrose. Sucrose at 6 and 9 % also reduced precocious germination of somatic embryos in culture. Glucose at 3 and 6 % and sucrose at 6 and 9 % both significantly increased protein content in somatic embryos compared to 3 % sucrose. Only 3 % glucose significantly improved conversion frequency while 6 % sucrose and 9 % of both sucrose and glucose reduced conversion frequency of somatic embryos. This study shows the importance of inclusion of sugars in the maturation of geranium somatic embryos. Transactions of the Zimbabwe Scientific Association Volume 72 1998, pp. 26-31