Influence of osmotica and abscisic acid on triglyceride accumulation in peanut somatic embryos

Attempts were made to determine the influence of sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol and abscisic acid on accumulation of triglycerides in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) somatic embryos. The results revealed that 0.584 M sucrose in the medium produced increased triglycerides in the embryos compared to the control. At 0.730 M sucrose, embryos were necrotic although the triglyceride content was high. Sorbitol at 0.6 M or abscisic acid at 20 mu M were effective in increasing triglycerides in the embryos. The increase in triglycerides on a fresh-weight basis observed with increasing concentration of osmoticium was not apparent when determined in terms of dry weight. However, an increase in triglyceride as percent fresh weight observed in the presence of 20 mu M abscisic acid remained unaltered when determined in terms of percent dry weight. An increase in storage lipid did not improve conversion of peanut somatic embryos.