Development of Artificial Seed Technology and Preservation in Sugar Beet

Germplasm can be effectively stored in the form of synthetic seeds that offer several advantages, easy handling, storability, reduced size of propagules, and transportability. Shoot tips obtained from in vitro seedlings cultures of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) were encapsulated in 4 % sodium alginate. For multiplication of sugar beet propagules, the medium contained 2 mg l(-1) BA gave the highest number of shoots and leaves. However, the best results of shoot length were observed with 2 mg l(-1) kin. The addition of MS medium to alginate capsules, with 30 g l(-1) sucrose, significantly improved their germination rate than 40, 50 and 60 g l(-1). In vitro storage of capsules was also evaluated by supplementing osmotic agents, mannitol, or sorbitol to the media. Adding sorbitol or mannitol to the media at 0.05 M increased plantlet survival. Francesca genotype was better suited for encapsulation than the Toro genotype. Among different types of auxins used for in vitro root formation, 2 mg l(-1) of NAA with aeration were more effective than other treatments. The molecular studies using RAPD technique with eight primers proved that, the same dose of conservative material (mannitol or sorbitol) that were used to conserve the encapsulated plants. After the re-growth from plantlets it showed that adding mannitol or sorbitol was not only the factor but interaction between the conservative materials and the genotype of the plants also play an important role in the conservation.