ABSTRACT The interspecific oil palm hybrid BRS Manicoré (E. guineensis x E. oleifera) has superior agronomic characteristics. However, the germination rate is low (30%) and the process is slow when the seeds are sown in a conventional form. The purpose of this study was to optimize the in vitro germination of zygotic embryos of this hybrid comparing seed lots. The viability of zygotic embryos was evaluated by the tetrazolium test (0.075%) for 4 h. The embryos were cultured on MS and Y3 culture media, with and without the addition of NaH2PO4, as well as on MS, MS1/2 and N6 medium. In MS medium containing NaH2PO4, the germination rate was increased from 40 to 70% in comparison with the medium without sodium phosphate. The comparison between the culture media... |