Dehydration and cryopreservation of Xyris cipoensis seeds

Abstract

Xyris cipoensis (Xyridaceae) is an herbaceous species endemic to the Brazilian rupestrian fields. Seeds of this species age rapidly and the seedlings are hard to establish in vitro due to early senescence. The objective of this study was to cryopreserve seeds of Xyris cipoensis. Initial decontamination treatments hydrated seeds and reduced survival of cryoexposed samples. Survival increased when these seeds were dried prior to cryo-exposure, with seeds dried for 5 h germinating at control levels. Five hours of dehydration appeared to reduce germination of seeds not exposed to LN. The study demonstrates the feasibility of cryopreserving Xyris cipoensis seeds and germinating them in vitro.