In vitro development and germination of immature olive embryos

In vitro culture methods were used to germinate olive embryos prior to maturation. Fruit, seed and embryo development were established with consecutive sampling from 20 to 100 days after bloom. For that same period, embryo development and germination success were determined by in vitro culture trials using one-third strength MS medium with or without the addition of zeatin. For early developmental stages, when isolation of the embryo was difficult, a cut portion of the seed containing the embryo was used for culture. The embryos cultured within the cut seed portions germinated and formed normal plantlets. Histological observations indicated a close similarity between the natural and in vitro immature embryo differentiation pattern, progressing through preglobular, globular, heartshaped and torpedo-shaped stages. In some cases, however, the in vitro immature embryos developed or germinated abnormally. The presence of zeatin (0.25 mg 1-1) in the culture medium and the use of a cut seed-portion containing the immature embryo allowed in vitro germination sooner after bloom than previously obtained. On the contrary, zeatin was a handicap for mature olive embryo in vitro germination, which reached 100% seedling formation when no plant growth regulators were used.