Achievements in the cryopreservation of tropical crops in Malaysia
2011
M.N. Normah
Cryopreservation technologies offer the possibility of long-term storage or conservation of many crops and forest species especially those with recalcitrant (intolerant of desiccation and low temperature) seeds, vegetatively propagated and those with highly heterozygous seeds. Seed recalcitrance renders them unsuitablefor conservation in a seed bank, the used methods are appropriate for orthodox(i.e., desiccation-and freezing-tolerant) seeds. Among the tropical fruit specieswith recalcitrant seeds are mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), langsat (Lansiumdomesticum) and rambutan (Nephelium fappaceum). Citrus suhuiensis, C. hystrix andFortunella polyandra are among the Citrus and Citrus related species with recalcitrantor intermediate category of seeds. Successful cryopreservation protocols weredeveloped for recalcitrant embryonic axes and shoot tips especially of the Citrusspecies using rapid dehydration-freezing and vitrification techniques. Nevertheless,there is no successful technique or protocol for species with highly recalcitrant seeds.Modification of existing protocols or development of new methods is required withfurther understanding of the recalcitrance characteristics of the seeds or explants.
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