Abstract
In order to evaluate the feasibility of cryopreservation of Wych elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.) seeds, we evaluated the seeds sensitivity to extreme desiccation and/or the ultra-low temperature of liquid nitrogen (LN; −196°C). We also determined the critical water content (WC) of desiccated seeds and the high-moisture freezing limit of seeds desiccated or moistened to various WCs and frozen for 24 h or up to two years in LN. Germination tests revealed no critical WC for seeds to 0.03 g H2O g−1 dry mass, g g−1. Seeds tolerated freezing in LN within safe ranges of WC 0.03–0.21 g g−1 (nuts). Seeds desiccated to the safe WC and stored in LN for two years had similar germination as seeds stored at −3°C for two years. Therefore, long-term cryopreservation of U. glabra seeds in gene banks is feasible.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Mrs. Elżbieta Drzewiecka-Pieniężna and Anna Całka for providing technical assistance during the experiments in Kórnik. Partial financial support from the State Committee for Scientific Research, Poland, grant no. 5 P06H 057 18, is also gratefully acknowledged.
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Chmielarz, P. Cryopreservation of the Non-Dormant Orthodox Seeds of Ulmus glabra. BIOLOGIA FUTURA 61, 224–233 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1556/ABiol.61.2010.2.10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/ABiol.61.2010.2.10