Effect of DMSO on castor bean pollen grain viability

Abstract

Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an oleaginous plant of high economic value in Brazil due to its use in the industrial (biodiesel production) and medicinal areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of the cryoprotectant DMSO on the maintenance of pollen grain integrity under different storage temperatures. Pollen grains were extracted from anthers of male flowers and the viability was determined using the cytological stain 2% (w/v) acetic carmine and maintained in liquid nitrogen (-196°C), ultra freezer (-80°C) and freezer (-20°C) for 30 days with 10% DMSO as a cryoprotectant. Viability of 73.25 and 68.75% was obtained in pollen samples stored at -196 and -20°C, respectively. The cryopreservation in ultra-freezer (-80°C) showed a lower average of viable cells (42%), demonstrating the inefficiency of the storage in this temperature for the preservation of castor bean pollen grains.