CHANGES IN TOLERANCE TO PARTIAL DESICCATION AND IN METABOLITE CONTENT OF CELERY SOMATIC EMBRYOS INDUCED BY REDUCED OSMOTIC POTENTIAL

Effects of reduced osmotic potential on somatic embryos of celery (Apium graveolens L.) were studied in an attempt to understand and improve their tolerance to partial desiccation. Embryos responded similarly to application of high osmoticum (384 mOs/kg H2O vs. 190 mOs/kg H2O in the control), achieved either by manipulation of sucrose or polyethylene glycol concentrations (PEG). Treatments of high osmotic concentration applied during the last 2 days of the embryo production cycle increased embryo survival and conversion after partial desiccation. The most striking effect of the high osmotic concentrations was the 4-fold increase in proline, while a 2-fold increase was obtained with 1-mu-M ABA alone. Application of high osmotica decreased reducing sugars, increased sucrose, but did not affect starch content of embryos; of these responses, only the change in sucrose was similar to that induced by ABA. Osmotic treatments did not affect total fatty acid content in the embryos compared to the 2-fold increase induced by ABA. Chemical name used: abscisic acid (ABA).