Cryopreservation by encapsulation–dehydration of plumules of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Abstract

This study describes the use of an encapsulation-dehydration cryopreservation technique on coconut plumules (apical dome with three or four leaf primordia) excised from embryos. In order to establish a reliable cryopreservation process for plumules, several different key factors were tested: pretreatment duration, sugar concentration, dehydration period and freezing. In parallel, histological studies were performed to describe the structural changes of tissues and plumule cells subjected to dehydration and freezing. A good survival level of around 60% was obtained. However, after 8 months culture regrowth, this level decreased to a maximum of 20% which was achieved using sucrose treatment. In this paper we report for the first time the regeneration of leafy shoots from coconut plumules after cryopreservation.

Description

Keywords

Cocos nucifera L., cryopreservation, encapsulation-dehydration, histology, plumule, sucrose

Citation

CryoLetters 29(4), 339-350 (2008)

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