CRYOPRESERVATION OF OIL PALM (ELAEIS-GUINEENSIS JACQ) SOMATIC EMBRYOSINVOLVING A DESICCATION STEP

The standard cryopreservation process previously developed for oil pal m clones using shiny white, finger-like somatic embryos could be appli ed in some cases to standard cultures. Its efficiency was markedly imp roved by completing the 7-day pregrowth period on 0.75 M sucrose by an additional dehydration period carried out either by placing the embry os in the air current of the laminar flow cabinet or in an air tight b ox containing silica gel. This improved process was successfully appli ed to 7 different clones. It will facilitate the routine use of cryopr eservation for oil palm cultures.