CRYOPRESERVATION OF ZYGOTIC EMBRYOS AND KERNELS OF OIL PALM (ELAEIS-GUINEENSIS JACQ)

In the present study, the efficiency of two cryopreservation strategies for oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) was compared. If extracted from rehydrated kernels, 65% of the embryos desiccated to around 0.3 g H2O/g DW developed into plantlets after cryopreservation. In contrast, only 25% of embryos (0.12 g H2O/g DW) extracted from cryopreserved dry kernels developed into plantlets. However, this value was increased to 63% if kernels were partially rehydrated before freezing until the water content of embryos reached 0.3 g H2O/g DW. This study emphasizes the importance of partial rehydration of oil palm embryos before cryopreservation.