embryos.

ABSTRACT –The induction and control of in vitro somatic embryogenesis is dependent of a number of factors. The genotype of the mother plant donor of explants and the kind of auxin play essential roles in conferring embryogenic competence. Once obtained somatic embryos may be encapsulated in alginate originating synthetic seeds that can be stored at low temperatures. Considering this the present work aimed at the assessment of five different genotypes, five periods of 2,4-D shock (20 mM for 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks) (), and different substances supplemented to sodium alginate to obtain synthetic seeds. Zygotic embryos of Feijoa sellowiana were inoculated in basal LP medium (von Arnold and Erikson, 1981) supplemented with Morel’s vitamins, sucrose (3%) and phytagel (0.2%). The highest rates of somatic embryogenesis induction were observed in the genotypes 50-4 and 101. Shock of two weeks in 2,4-D conferred embryogenic competence in the same levels obtained with the shock of 8 weeks. Histological evaluations revealed the direct origin of the somatic embryos from the epidermic surface of cotyledons. Synthetic seeds containing MS salts and sucrose resulted in higher rates of contamination than capsules free of these substances. KNO3 (100 mM) resulted in the opening of 81.2 % of the capsules as compared to 0 % of opening in the treatment with water