Influence of Silver Nitrate on Somatic Embryogenesis Induction in Arabica Coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

The influence of silver nitrate (AgNO3), benzyladenine (BAP), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) on low frequency somatic embryogenesis (LFSE) induction in Caturra and Catuai arabica coffee was evaluated. For the Caturra cultivar, the production of somatic embryos was significantly increased by adding AgNO3 to the semisolid culture medium. The highest average number of somatic embryos for this cultivar was obtained using 6.6 mu M BAP, 2.85 mu M IAA, and 40 mu M AgNO3. In contrast, for the Catuai cultivar, the highest average number of somatic embryos was obtained using semisolid medium supplemented with 8.8 mu M BAP, and 2.85 mu M IAA. Using these protocols, somatic embryos were directly induced using leaf sections of in vitro plants of both coffee cultivars within 8 weeks. The somatic embryos developed into rooted plants with a 100% survival rate upon transfer to the greenhouse.