Articles
Effects of stratification and desiccation on the germination of rose achenes after long-term storage in liquid nitrogen
Article number
1461_12
Pages
111 – 118
Language
English
Abstract
In standard seed bank storage conditions (-18/-20°C), seeds undergo ageing, necessitating periodic renewal of the collection.
Cryopreservation (storage in liquid nitrogen, -196°C) offers a long-term and efficient method for preserving genetic material to protect biodiversity.
This study evaluated the impact of cryopreservation timing (before or after stratification) and desiccation duration on the germination of achenes (seeds) from three rose species: Rosa canina, R. dumalis, and R. rubiginosa. Seeds underwent warm (25°C, 10 weeks) and cold (3°C, 14 weeks) stratification following desiccation in a laminar flow chamber for 0, 3 or 6 h.
Thawing after cryopreservation was performed in a 40°C water bath for 15 min.
Germination was assessed in greenhouse conditions (22/20°C day/night). Control achenes sown immediately after harvest (without stratification) failed to germinate, while stratified seeds showed species-dependent germination rates: R. rubiginosa (68.3%), R. dumalis (31.3%), and R. canina (15.7%). Seeds after stratification and 6-h desiccation exhibited the highest dry matter content: R. canina (92.6%), R. dumalis (92%), and R. rubiginosa (91.9%). Cryopreservation before stratification resulted in minimal germination, whereas optimal results were achieved when seeds after stratification underwent 6-h desiccation before freezing in liquid nitrogen.
Germination rates were species dependent: R. rubiginosa (56.7%), R. canina (8.2%), and R. dumalis (7.3%). Relative to the germination of non-cryopreserved control seeds (100%), these values represent 83, 52, and 23% of the control rate, respectively.
Seedlings derived from cryopreserved seeds did not differ in height or leaf number compared to control seedlings.
This study highlights that cryopreservation after stratification, combined with appropriate desiccation, can maintain germination potential and seedling quality in rose species, supporting their conservation in seed banks.
Cryopreservation (storage in liquid nitrogen, -196°C) offers a long-term and efficient method for preserving genetic material to protect biodiversity.
This study evaluated the impact of cryopreservation timing (before or after stratification) and desiccation duration on the germination of achenes (seeds) from three rose species: Rosa canina, R. dumalis, and R. rubiginosa. Seeds underwent warm (25°C, 10 weeks) and cold (3°C, 14 weeks) stratification following desiccation in a laminar flow chamber for 0, 3 or 6 h.
Thawing after cryopreservation was performed in a 40°C water bath for 15 min.
Germination was assessed in greenhouse conditions (22/20°C day/night). Control achenes sown immediately after harvest (without stratification) failed to germinate, while stratified seeds showed species-dependent germination rates: R. rubiginosa (68.3%), R. dumalis (31.3%), and R. canina (15.7%). Seeds after stratification and 6-h desiccation exhibited the highest dry matter content: R. canina (92.6%), R. dumalis (92%), and R. rubiginosa (91.9%). Cryopreservation before stratification resulted in minimal germination, whereas optimal results were achieved when seeds after stratification underwent 6-h desiccation before freezing in liquid nitrogen.
Germination rates were species dependent: R. rubiginosa (56.7%), R. canina (8.2%), and R. dumalis (7.3%). Relative to the germination of non-cryopreserved control seeds (100%), these values represent 83, 52, and 23% of the control rate, respectively.
Seedlings derived from cryopreserved seeds did not differ in height or leaf number compared to control seedlings.
This study highlights that cryopreservation after stratification, combined with appropriate desiccation, can maintain germination potential and seedling quality in rose species, supporting their conservation in seed banks.
Authors
B. Pawłowska, B. Szewczyk-Taranek, M. Cioć
Keywords
biodiversity protection, cryopreservation technique, germination, rose species conservation, seed banks, stratification
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