Cryopreservation of somatic embryos of four species with and without cryoprotectant pre-treatment

Abstract

The development of cryostorage procedures for somatic embryos produced from the tissues of plants that normally propagate by means of desiccation- and (often) chilling-sensitive seeds, and that are unstorable by conventional means, offers a viable alternative to the conservation of this otherwise recalcitrant germplasm. A cryopreservation procedure utilizing cryoprotectants and partial dehydration was previously developed for hydrated and germinating Pisum sativum embryonic axes. The present contribution applies that technology to the somatic embryos of a range of species, viz., Coffea arabica (coffee), Manihot esculenta (cassava), Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) and Pisum sativum (pea) and compares it with results for material that was partially dehydrated, then very rapidly frozen. Cassava, coffee and date palm showed similar recovery from cryopreservation irrespective of the procedure. Pea somatic embryos, on the other hand, recovered best from cryopreservation when pre-treated with the cryoprotectants, glycerol and sucrose, and then subjected to partial dehydration. © 1995 Annals of Botany Company.