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Literature review<br />

Young embryos require a medium with high osmotic potential (PIERIK, 1997). A high<br />

osmotic potential prevents precocious development and promotes normal<br />

embryogenic development (REED, 2005). Sucrose is usually added to serve both as<br />

an osmoticum and a carbon source (PIERIK, 1997). A medium with 8 to 12% sucrose<br />

is used for the culture <strong>of</strong> heterotrophic embryos (REED, 2005).<br />

The autotrophic phase is usually initiated in the late heart-shaped embryo stage<br />

(REED, 2005). Embryos that are excised during this development stage are<br />

completely autotrophic (HU & ZANETTINI, 1995). Such embryos germinate and grow<br />

on a simple inorganic medium with a supplemental energy source (HU & ZANETTINI,<br />

1995). An inorganic medium supplemented with 2 to 3% sucrose is used as a<br />

standard medium for the germination <strong>of</strong> autotrophic embryos (REED, 2005).<br />

Growth regulators <strong>of</strong>ten have inconsistent effects on embryo culture (REED, 2005).<br />

They have however been extensively used in embryo rescue protocols, especially<br />

protocols involving heterotrophic embryos (REED, 2005). Low concentrations <strong>of</strong><br />

auxins promote normal growth whereas gibberellins cause embryo enlargement and<br />

cytokinins inhibit growth (REED, 2005).<br />

Hard-coated seeds are first soaked in water for a few hours up to a few days before<br />

dissection. Seeds are surface sterilised before and after soaking (HU & ZANETTINI,<br />

1995). The most suitable point <strong>of</strong> incision into the ovule differs amongst species<br />

(REED, 2005). The embryos <strong>of</strong> some species can be extracted by cutting <strong>of</strong>f the<br />

micropylar end <strong>of</strong> the ovule and applying gentle pressure at the opposite end <strong>of</strong> the<br />

ovule, so that the embryo is pushed through the opening (REED, 2005). Small seeds<br />

are dissected by making a longitudinal section using sterile microdissection needles<br />

(HU & ZANETTINI, 1995)<br />

After excision, large embryos should immediately be transferred into culture vessels,<br />

using a pair <strong>of</strong> forceps (HU & ZANETTINI, 1995; REED, 2005). Small embryos can<br />

be handled using the moistened tip <strong>of</strong> a dissection needle (HU & ZANETTINI, 1995).<br />

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