2. Artificial seedsArtificial seeds are eare encapsulated somaticncapsulated somatic
embryos that can be used as seed & thatembryos that can be used as seed & that
posses the ability to convert into plant underposses the ability to convert into plant under
in vitro and ex vitro condition.in vitro and ex vitro condition.
Somatic embryo’sSomatic embryo’s are bipolar structure withare bipolar structure with
both apical & basal meristematic region,both apical & basal meristematic region,
which are capable of forming shoot & rootwhich are capable of forming shoot & root
respectively.respectively.
3. 1)DESICCATED SYSTEM1)DESICCATED SYSTEM
SE’s is 1SE’s is 1stst
hardened to withstand desiccationhardened to withstand desiccation
& then are encapsulated in suitable coding& then are encapsulated in suitable coding
material.SEs may be hardened either bymaterial.SEs may be hardened either by
treating/coating mature SE with suitabletreating/coating mature SE with suitable
polymer followed by treated with ABA(improvepolymer followed by treated with ABA(improve
germination of SE).germination of SE).
Kim & Janicle 1Kim & Janicle 1stst
developed desiccated artificialdeveloped desiccated artificial
seeds from SE of carrot.(5% solution ofseeds from SE of carrot.(5% solution of
polyethylene oxide (polyox WRS N-750))polyethylene oxide (polyox WRS N-750))
4. HYDRATED ARTIFICIAL SEEDSHYDRATED ARTIFICIAL SEEDS
Somatic embryos are enclosed in gels, which remainSomatic embryos are enclosed in gels, which remain
hydrated.hydrated.
Calcium alginate is most suitable.Calcium alginate is most suitable.
Hydrated artificial seeds are sticky & difficult to handleHydrated artificial seeds are sticky & difficult to handle
on a large scale &are dry rapidly in the open air.Thison a large scale &are dry rapidly in the open air.This
problems can be solved by providing a waxy coating overproblems can be solved by providing a waxy coating over
the bead.the bead.
However, hydrated artificial seeds have to be plantedHowever, hydrated artificial seeds have to be planted
soon after they are produce.soon after they are produce.
Redenbergh et.al(1986)Redenbergh et.al(1986) develop hydrated artificial seedsdevelop hydrated artificial seeds
by mixing SE of alfalfa, celery & cauliflower with sodiumby mixing SE of alfalfa, celery & cauliflower with sodium
alginate followed by dropping into a solution of calciumalginate followed by dropping into a solution of calcium
chloride/nitrate to form calcium-alginate.chloride/nitrate to form calcium-alginate.
8. Artificial seeds make a promising techniques forArtificial seeds make a promising techniques for
propagation of plants, non seed producingpropagation of plants, non seed producing
plants,polyploids with elite traits and plants line withplants,polyploids with elite traits and plants line with
problems in seed propagation.problems in seed propagation.
Being clonal in nature the techniques cuts shortBeing clonal in nature the techniques cuts short
laborious selection procedure of conventionallaborious selection procedure of conventional
recombination breeding.recombination breeding.
11. Alginate hydro gelsAlginate hydro gels are frequently selected as aare frequently selected as a
matrix of synthetic seeds because of its moderatematrix of synthetic seeds because of its moderate
viscosity & low toxicity for SE & quick gellation &viscosity & low toxicity for SE & quick gellation &
low cost.low cost.
AGARAGAR is considered inferior to alginate withis considered inferior to alginate with
respect to long term storage.respect to long term storage.
Alginate choosen because it enhance capsuleAlginate choosen because it enhance capsule
formation & protect SE’s against mechanicalformation & protect SE’s against mechanical
injury.injury.
12. Reduced cost of transplanting.Reduced cost of transplanting.
Carrier of adjuvant such as microorganism,Carrier of adjuvant such as microorganism,
plant growth regulators,pesticides,fungicides,plant growth regulators,pesticides,fungicides,
nutrients & antibiotics.nutrients & antibiotics.
Large scale monoculture.Large scale monoculture.
Can be conceivably handle as seed usingCan be conceivably handle as seed using
conventional planting equipment.conventional planting equipment.
13. AnalyticalAnalytical toolstools
Production of large no of identical embryos.Production of large no of identical embryos.
Determination of role of endosperm in embryoDetermination of role of endosperm in embryo
development & germination.development & germination.
Study of somaclonal variation.Study of somaclonal variation.
14. In 1984 RedenbaughIn 1984 Redenbaugh et al.developed a technique foret al.developed a technique for
encapsulation of individual SE of alfalfa.encapsulation of individual SE of alfalfa.
MolleMolle et al.found that for the production of artificial seedset al.found that for the production of artificial seeds
of carrot.of carrot.
In alfalfa desiccation-tolerance of SE’s embryos wasIn alfalfa desiccation-tolerance of SE’s embryos was
induced by exogenous application of ABA byinduced by exogenous application of ABA by
Seneratna,Mckersie & BowleySeneratna,Mckersie & Bowley..
Piccioni & StanderdiPiccioni & Standerdi have described conversion of shoothave described conversion of shoot
buds of apple clonal rootstock M.26 encapsulated after anbuds of apple clonal rootstock M.26 encapsulated after an
appropriate root induction treatment with IBA for 3-appropriate root induction treatment with IBA for 3-
6days.6days.
15. Onay,Jeffree & YeomanOnay,Jeffree & Yeoman have reported that the encapsulatedhave reported that the encapsulated
embryonic masses(Pistacia vera) recovered their originalembryonic masses(Pistacia vera) recovered their original
proliferative capacity after two months storage followingproliferative capacity after two months storage following
two subculture.two subculture.
Corrie & TandonCorrie & Tandon have reported that the encapsulatedhave reported that the encapsulated
protocorms ofprotocorms of CymbidiumCymbidium giganteumgiganteum gave rise to nutrientgave rise to nutrient
medium or directly to sterile sand & soil.medium or directly to sterile sand & soil.
16. High volume, large scale propagation method.
Maintains genetic uniformity of plants.
Direct delivery of propagules to the field, thus
eliminating transplants.
Lower cost per plantlet.
Rapid multiplication of plants.
17. Limited production of viable micropropagation.Limited production of viable micropropagation.
Asynchronous development of SE.Asynchronous development of SE.
Lack of dormancy & stress tolerance in SE.Lack of dormancy & stress tolerance in SE.
Improper maturation of SE that makes themImproper maturation of SE that makes them
inefficient for germination and conversion intoinefficient for germination and conversion into
normal plants.normal plants.
18. Requirement for the practical application of the artificialRequirement for the practical application of the artificial
seed technology is the large-scale production of high qualityseed technology is the large-scale production of high quality
micropropagule,which is at present a major limiting factor.micropropagule,which is at present a major limiting factor.
The Synthetic Seed Technology offers tremendous potentialThe Synthetic Seed Technology offers tremendous potential
in micropropagation and germplasm conservation; howeverin micropropagation and germplasm conservation; however
future research is need to perfect the technology so that itfuture research is need to perfect the technology so that it
can be used on a commercial scale.can be used on a commercial scale.
