Cryopreservation of Orthodox Seeds of Alnus Glutinosa

Author: Chmielarz Paweł  

Publisher: Cryoletters

ISSN: 1742-0644

Source: Cryoletters, Vol.31, Iss.2, 2010-03, pp. : 139-146

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Abstract

We evaluated the sensitivity of orthodox seeds of black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) to extreme desiccation and/or to the ultra-low temperature of liquid nitrogen (LN; -196°C). The critical water content (WC) of desiccated seeds and the high-moisture freezing limit of seeds desiccated or imbibed to various WCs and frozen for 24 h or up to two years in LN was determined. Germination tests revealed that desiccation to 0.03 g H2O.g–1 dry mass was not detrimental to these seeds. Seeds tolerated LN freezing when the WC was 0.03-0.18 g H2O g–1 dm (nuts). Seeds desiccated to this WC and stored in LN for two years showed similar germination as seeds stored at -3°C for two years. Therefore, long-term cryopreservation of A. glutinosa seeds in genebanks is feasible.