Somatic embryos obtained from embryogenic tissues of sandalwood (Santalum album) were grown on White's medium containing abscisic acid, (ABA, 1.89, 3.78 or 18.92 \M) and various concentrations of sucrose (87.6 to 350.4 mM) to induce maturation. The embryos were isolated and desiccated for 10, 20 or 30 days. One lot of the desiccated somatic embryos was encapsulated in sodium alginate gel and the other lot was not encapsulated. Both encapsulated and nonencapsulated desiccated embryos showed revival of growth upon rehydration on White's medium and developed into plants. The desiccation tolerance and regeneration of viable plantlets depended upon the pretreatment given to somatic embryos. Embryogenic tissue subjected to dry state for 30 days showed revival of somatic embryogenesis upon transfer to a fresh nutrient medium. Implications of maturation and desiccation of somatic embryos on its ger-minabiiity are discussed.
Santalum, desiccation, abscisic acid, somatic embryo
