Effect of Coconut Endosperm and Other Growth Stimulants upon the Development In vitro of Embryos of Cocos nucifera

Abstract

Excised embryos of C. nucifera were grown for various periods in a variety of nutrient media supplemented with various fractions of coconut milk and endosperm to determine the effect of these tissues upon their own embryos. The best growth in vitro of coconut embryos was obtained in young milk obtained from immature coconuts. Heating the young milk depressed its growth-promoting activity. Milk from mature coconuts was markedly inhibitory to the growth of excised embryos and the inhibitory factor was heat stable. Mature cellular endosperm was inhibitory to embryo growth, whereas young cellular endosperm was not. These expts. suggest that factors inhibitory to the growth of coconut embryos may develop in the milk and solid endosperm of Cocos as the fruit matures and may function in initiating and maintaining embryo dormancy.