Mannitol for coconut ex situ conservation by minimum growth

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the mannitol concentration for in vitro germination and minimum growth of coconut (Cocos nucifera). The following accessions were used: Brazilian Red Dwarf Gramame (BRDG), Malaysian Yellow Dwarf (MYD), Brazilian Tall (BRA), Polynesian Tall (PYT), and Rennell Island Tall (RIT). Embryos were inoculated in an Y3 culture medium at different mannitol concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mol L^‑1). Inhibition of shoot development was verified at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mol L^‑1, for MYD and BRDG, and at 0.1 and 0.2 mol L^‑1, for PYT, BRA, and RIT. Mannitol use is a promising strategy for minimum growth conservation.