Vol. 79 No: 4

Title:
Viable olive embryos can change the pH and the ionic composition of the medium during their in vitro germination

Authors:
THEODORA S. PRITSA, D. G. VOYIATZIS and T. MATSI

pp: 591-595

Abstract:
The ability of olive embryos to modify the pH and the chemical composition of the medium during their in vitro germination was investigated. Embryos at various stages of development and fully developed embryos of various ages, germinating in vitro on a substrate without nutrients and with initial pH from 4 to 8, were able to modify the initial pH during their germination. This ability depended on their developmental stage, correlated to their viability, and was independent of the temperature or the dormant state of the embryos. Mature embryos, stored for 3.5 months to 11.5 years, were able to modify the initial pH as long as they retained their viability. The pH fluctuation appeared to follow the various phases of germination, indicating the possible involvement of chemical factors released by the embryos. Fully developed embryos, cultured on a medium of pH 4 or 7, adjusted the final pH at around 5. Quantitative determination of certain inorganic ions (K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, NO^3-, P) in the medium revealed changes in their concentration, denoting a movement into and out of the explant tissues.These changes were more prominent after germination had started and correlated positively or negatively with the pH of the medium. Fluctuations in ion concentrations were more pronounced at the acidic medium and especially after day 20, when the germination had reached a percentage higher than 50&percent;, and stabilized around day 40, coinciding with the maximum germination percentage.

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