MM™

Application of

Synthetic Seeds:Present and the Future

Presented byMahathir Mohmed

Ruzanna Abdul RahmanLuvanee Parkianathan

Teh Kit SiangNurul Asyikin Sharuddin

IntroductionWhat is synthetic seeds?

Encapsulated somatic embryos or other plant explants, engineered for use in the commercial propagation of plants

IntroductionExplant of choice

↓Induction of calluses

↓Somatic embryo (SE) induction

↓Proliferation of SE

↓Histodifferentiation and maturation of SE

↓Desiccation-tolerance induction

↓Encapsulation (artificial endosperm) of SE

↓In vitro/field germination

Two types of synthetic seeds: hydrated

(recalcitrant seeds) and desiccated

(orthodox seeds)

It was first discussedby Toshio Murashigein 1977

Propagation

Benefits

Hybrid seeds

Cost effective

Elite genotypes

GE plants/crops

Endangered species

Direct to field

Genetic uniformity

Unrestrictedavailability

Current Application

Synthetic seeds

Conservation

Short/ Mid term

approaches Long term

Min growth medium

Growth retardant

Reduced heat/light

Encapsulation-dehydration

approaches

Current Application

Use of osmoticum

Reduced oxygen

Encapsulation-vitrification

ConservationCurrent Application

Axenic explants: cereals, fruits, medicinal plant studied worldwide

material

merit

necessity

Smaller, easy to handle, providing aseptic environment

Simplify transport across borders, avoiding quarantine and spread of disease

TransportationCurrent Application

Carrier of adjuvantPossible Application

Chemicallyactive

Biologically active

Increase the impact

… provides protection for the explants from pests and diseases

… any compound that is added to herbicide formulation or tank mix to facilitate the mixing, application, or

effectiveness of that herbicide

Large scale monoculturesPossible Application

& mixed-genotype plantation

… more efficient usage of farm machinery for cultivation, sowing, weed control, harvest, and can create economic of scale

The new way of plantation

Synthetic seeds assisting the process

Sustainable plantation

Easy transport of material; crops easy to maintain due to uniformity in genetic constituent

Improve food production and at the same time promoting Earth-friendly plantation

Microencapsulation

Hard coating synthetic seeds

PVC, PVA, bentone

Immediate growth flower seeds

For growthNo fertilizer &

herbicides required

New coating agents

Matrix with essential nutrient

Chemicals thatcontrol release & consumption of nutrient by

explant

Explant will grow

very fast

Possible Application

Recalcitrant explant made

desiccation and temperature tolerant

can be stored in liquid nitrogen tank

Achieving orthodox behaviour

Cryopreservation

… added in the matrix of synseeds

LEA protein

into orthodox

Possible Application

Analytical tools

Somaclonal variation

Seed coat formation

Role of endosperm

Synseeds Synseeds as toolas tool

Possible Application

Effects on dormancy

As food storage

New plant varieties

Conclusion

Content

Further detailed research is needed mainly for improvement in conversion of synthetic seeds and subsequent plant growth in soil and all limitations should be taken into

considerations

Artificial seeds must be competitive with true seed or other propagation systems currently used for a given crop for this

technology to be commercially attractive

MM™

Thank you