Embryos from mature fruits of Heliconia rostrata were excised and cultured in basal medium containing MS salts, vitamins and sucrose. Sucrose was essential for embryo development. In meclium without sucrose the embryos died in culture. Sucrose concentrations of 1%, 2% and 3% (w/v) were beneficial for embryo development. Sucrose concentrations of 6%, 9% and 12% (w/v) inhibited embryo growth. The addition of kinetin, isopentenyl adenine and zeatin did not improve embryo growth and development.
embryo culture; micropropagation; tissue culture
