Zygotic embryos rescue for ex situ conservation of Butia noblickii palm

Abstract

Butia noblickii, commonly known as Bonpland's palm, is a species endemic to the southeast of the province of Corrientes (Argentina) and has been described very recently. Its spatial distribution is notably fragmented, with an increasing risk of population patches becoming isolated due to human transformation of the landscape. According to IUCN (2010) criteria, its current conservation status should be categorized as endangered. The pronounced dormancy that delays the germination of seeds of the genus Butia, represents a limitation for natural regeneration. To generate a methodology for in vitro germination of zygotic embryos for subsequent encapsulation in sodium alginate, dehydration, and cryopreservation, we performed in vitro embryo culture assays under controlled laboratory conditions.