Long-term storage of oil palm germplasm zygotic embryo using cryopreservation

Abstract

The MPOB germplasm collections from various parts of the world were planted mainly at MPOB Research Station, Kluang, Johor, Malaysia. The collections were maintained in the form of field gene bank. Conserving the genetic materials in ex-situ living collections requires high cost of maintenance, large land area and the palms are exposed to diseases and extreme weather conditions. Experiments were conducted to study the possibility of preserving oil palm tissues for long-term storage at ultra-low temperature (-196°C) in liquid nitrogen. This technique, known as cryopreservation requires lower cost of maintenance, lesser space and protects the genetic materials from pests and diseases. Oil palm seeds are intermediate between orthodox and recalcitrant. Oil palm seeds that have high levels of moisture lose viability when stored in liquid nitrogen. Experiments were conducted to study the possibility of cryopreserving smaller tissues such as oil palm zygotic embryos. Simple desiccation methods were applied to reduce the moisture levels of the embryos namely room temperature, laminar flow and silica gel. These methods were shown to be useful for zygotic embryos. Silica gel, however, is advantageous as it removes the moisture in relatively shorter period than the other two methods. The same approach has potential to be applied to cryopreserve oil palm pollen.