Effect of Alginate Matrix Composition on Growth of Synthetic Seeds Derived from Encapsulation of Somatic Embryos in Two Iranian Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Hybrids

Artificial seed production is now an outstanding technique for plant propagation and preservation, and has been applied on many plants. This investigation was carried out to study the effect of nutrients and plant growth regulator application in encapsulated matrix on regeneration and growth of synthetic seeds in two Iranian sunflower hybrids. Somatic embryos derived from the culture of sunflower immature zygotic embryos were encapsulated using 3% sodium alginate and 100 mM calcium chloride. Alginate matrix was provided with three different matrixes including distilled water, liquid MS medium and plant growth regulators and then regrowth ability was determined for synthetic seeds during four weeks after culture on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium without plant growth regulators. The results of analysis of variance showed that plant regeneration from encapsulated somatic embryos and establishment of plantlets were affected by the presence or absence of MS nutrients and plant growth regulator in calcium alginate beads. Using MS nutrients resulted in production of stronger plantlets and the presence of plant growth regulator in calcium alginate beads produced more number of shoots and leaves and more root extension in plantlets.