Abstract:
Studies on cold storage of encapsulated embryonic axes of tea (Camellia
sinensis (L.) Kuntze) were carried out to obtain efficient plant recovery. Both encapsulated
zygotic embryonic axes (formed in 3% sodium alginate and 100 mM calcium chloride) and
natural seeds were stored at 4°C for 0, 4, 8, 16 and 20 weeks. At the end of each period, the
embryonic axes excised from stored natural seeds (control) and encapsulated embryonic
axes were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 3 mg/l
Benzyl Aminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/l Indole Butyric Acid (IBA). The results showed
efficient germination and plant recovery from stored encapsulated embryonic axes
compared to natural seeds. High rates of germination (95%) and plant recovery (58.3%)
were achieved from encapsulated embryonic axes after four weeks of storage. Meanwhile,
low percentage germination (16.7%) was observed from the embryonic axes isolated from
natural seeds stored for the same period as compared to the non-stored embryonic axes
(90%). Further, it revealed that there was no significant reduction in germination and plant
recovery until 8 weeks of storage of encapsulated embryonic axes. Encapsulated embryonic
axes are important in extending the seed viability and for efficient germination than natural
seeds of tea.
