IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF Coffea arabica EMBRYOS

It was aimed to evaluate the in vitro development of zygotic embryos from four coffee cultivars. Coffea arabica L. Topazio', 'Rubi', 'Acaia' and 'Icatu' fruits were harvested in 'verde-cana' stage, washed and disinfected. After excised, 15 embryos were inoculated in Petri dishes containing 30 mL of the MS culture medium to which 1 g.L-1 of activated charcoal and 300 mg.L-1 of ascorbic acid were added. Cultures were maintained for 15 days in growth room. The embryos were transferred individually for test tubes, containing 15 mL of the Knudson, White, MS or WPM media, with pH adjusted for 5.8 and solidified with 6 g.L-1 of agar. Later, the embryos were transferred to growth room at 27 +/- 1 degrees C, 16 hours photoperiod and 35 m mol. m(-2).s(-1) light intensity. Higher aerial part length, aerial part and root fresh matter weight and total dry matter weight were obtained with MS medium culture. 'Topazio' and 'Acaia' showed higher embryo development.