2. Parvati Pujer
UHS11PGM123

3. INTRODUCTION
 Many fruit crops are difficult to multiply by conventional
propagation methods and improve through traditional breeding
programmes
 Among the innovative techniques of micro propagation, the concept
of somatic embryogenesis with synthetic seed production or artificial
seed technology is very promising
 Synthetic seed is referred to as encapsulated somatic embryos, which
functionally mimic seeds and can develop into seedling under
suitable conditions

4. Contd……
 Besides, research has also been focused on the use of
vegetative propagules like axillary buds, adventitious buds,
shoot-tips, cormels, bulbs and protocorms for production of
synthetic seeds
 In general, for seed propagated crops outstanding hybrids can
be multiplied through tissue culture and propagated by using
synthetic seeds rapidly

5. Advantages
 Direct delivery of tissue cultured plants to the field
 Propagation of desirable genotypes with genetic uniformity
 Reduction in cost of vegetative propagated elite plants
 Preservation of germplasm and convenience in germplasm exchange
 Reduction in dormancy period
 Large production identical embryos in short time
 It can be produced through out the year

6. Synthetic Seeds
 Synthetic seeds: It is living seed-like structure derived from
somatic embryoids in vitro culture after encapsulation by a
hydrogel.
 Such seed are encapsulated by protective gel like calcium
alginate against microbes and desiccation

7. Fig 2: Flow diagram presenting the procedure of synthetic
seed production

9. Fig 3: Different stage of embryo development

10. Table 1: Effect of endosperm and encapsulation on zygotic
somatic embryo germination and conversion
Embryos Form Germination Conversion
% %
Non 100 100
Zygotic encapsulated
Encapsulated 100 93.3
Non 93.3 93.3
Somatic encapsulated
Encapsulated 100 100

11. Artificial seed coat
Somatic embryo
Artificial endosperm
Fig 4 : The concept of Artificial Seed

12. Table 2: Artificial seed production and plant conversion
In vitro propagules for Crop
encapsulation
Papaya, Brinjal, Mango, Carrot,
Somatic embryos Sandalwood, Brassica, Alfalfa,
Lettuce, Celery,
Auxiliary buds/ Vitis, Eucalyptus, Citrus, Pineapple
Adventitious buds
Shoot tips Banana, Cardamom, Apple, Kiwifruit

13. Table 4: Encapsulation for Synthetic Seed
Gel (Concentration) Complexing Concentrat
(% w/v) Agent ion (µM)
Sodium alginate (0.5-5.0) Calcium Salts 30-100
Sodium alginate (2.0) Calcium chloride 30-100
with gelatin ( 5.0)
Carrageenan (0.2-0.8) Potassium chloride 500
Ammonium chloride
Locust Bean Gum (0.4-1.0)
Gelrite (0.25)

14. Encapsulation methods for synthetic seed
A) Dropping procedure
1) The most useful encapsulation
system. Drip 2-3 % sodium
alginate drops from at the tip of the
funnel and the somatic embryos
are inserted
2) Keep the encapsulated embryos
complex in calcium salt for 20 min
3) Rinsed the capsules in water and
then stored in a air tight container

15. B) Automate encapsulation process
This is the quick method of artificial
seed production
A) Alginate solution with embryo is
feed from supply tank
B) Alginate capsules were planted in
speeding trays using a vacuum
seeder.
C) The capsules are planted in the field
using a stanhay planter
D) A hydrophobic coating is required
for mechanical handling

16. BRIEF RESEARCH WORK ON SYNTHETIC SEEDS

18. Fig 5: Various developmental stages during plant regeneration
via artificial seed in Carica papaya L.
A- Somatic embryos in liquid culture after 30 days in maturation
medium.
B- Somatic embryo at the cotyledonary stage.
Castillo et al., 1998

19. C - Artificial seeds encapsulated in 2.5% sodium alginate.
D - Germinating artificial seed.
Castillo et al., 1998

20. E - A plantlet germinated from an artificial seed on growth regulator-
free basal MS medium.
F - A plantlet showing normal development after germination from an
artificial seed. Culture tubes were 2.2 cm in diameter.
Castillo et al., 1998

22. Fig.8 : Plant regeneration from encapsulated somatic embryos of banana cv.
Rasthali.
A- Somatic embryos used for encapsulation.
B- Encapsulated somatic embryos in 5% sodium alginate.
Ganapathi et al., 2001

23. C- Emergence of shoots after 2 week of culture from encapsulated somatic
embryos.
D- Plantlet development from encapsulated somatic embryos on MS basal
medium after 6 week of culture.
E-Two month old hardened plants derived from encapsulated somatic embryos
growing in the polybags. Ganapathi et al., 2001