Pilot scale process for the production of pre-germinated somatic embryos of selected robusta (Coffea canephora) clones

Abstract

The objective was to set up a pilot scale process for robusta (Coffea canephora) industrial propagation by somatic embryogenesis in liquid media. A batch production of pre-germinated embryos was initiated once every 2 mo. in 2003 and 2004, then every mo. in 2005. Each run batch requires 4 to 6 mo. to produce the pre-germinated somatic embryos and consists of three phases: (1) the development of torpedo stage embryos in Erlenmeyer flasks, (2) pregermination in temporary immersion bioreactors to allow maturation from the torpedo stage to the cotyledonary stage, (3) maintaining the embryos under storage conditions before their shipment to coffee producing countries. Starting from 1 kg of embryogenic calluses, a total of 4.4 million pregerminated embryos for 17 clones were produced over 3 yr. This embryo number was enough to potentially regenerate 2 million plants, as the global embryo-to-plantlet conversion rate was estimated to 46% after acclimatization and complete germination in the greenhouse. At the end of April 2006, 600,000 somatic seedlings were transferred into plastic bags in nurseries or were already planted in the fields, mainly in Thailand. The current capacity allows the production of 2.5 million embryos per year, equivalent to a potential of about 1.0 million plantlets. The technical package has recently been transferred to National Institutes in Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Multiplication of embryogenic calli in Coffea arabica L.

“…In spite of the higher efficiency of the gelatinous-cultivation system observed in the present work, many authors affirm that the use of liquid culture is a prerequisite for the automation and cost-reduction required for commercial propagation systems (DE FERIA et al, 2003;DUCOS et al, 2008). However, the advantages of cultivationure in liquid media are frequently counterbalanced by the disadvantages, such as cell asphyxia, hyperhydricity, the need for complex equipment (ETIENNE et al, 2006) and higher culture medium consumption.…”

“…However, the advantages of cultivationure in liquid media are frequently counterbalanced by the disadvantages, such as cell asphyxia, hyperhydricity, the need for complex equipment (ETIENNE et al, 2006) and higher culture medium consumption.…”

Medio de cultivo e inhibidores de etileno en la embriogénesis somática de café

“…The was also possible to observe direct embryogenesis expressed in the formation of groups of embryos directly explant (Figure 1b), production of aqueous, necrotic and nodular callus (Figure 1c, d, e and f); and late embryogenic callus formation from the aqueous, necrotic and nodular callus (Figure 1 e, f g h) and explant no response (Figure 1i). About Ducos et al (2007) mentioned undesirable embryo formation directly explant, as this type of response (direct embryogenesis) limits the potential of somatic embryogenesis for mass propagation scheme.…”

“…Estos resultados son similares a los obtenidos por Ducos et al (2007), quienes mencionan que el potencial embriogénico de los callos de café Robusta es de 50 000 embriones en promedio por gramo de callo.…”

“…All they obtained from the collection of NR&DC-T, which were disinfested and established in vitro according to the methodology of Ducos et al (2007). The explants were incubated in the dark at 25 °C, subcultured every 30 days and placed under the same conditions.…”