CRYOPRESERVATION OF ISOLATED MICROSPORES OF SPRING RAPESEED (BRASSICA-NAPUS L) FOR INVITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION

Microspore cryopreservation is a potentially powerful method for long-term storage of germplasm for in vitro embryo production in plant species. In this study, several factors influencing embryo production following the ultra-low temperature (-196-degrees-C in liquid nitrogen) storage of isolated microspores of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) were investigated. Microspores were prepared in cryogenic vials and subjected to various cooling treatments before immersion in liquid nitrogen for varying periods. Efficiency of microspore cryopreservation was reflected by in vitro embryo production from frozen microspores. Of all the cooling treatments, microspores treated with a cooling rate of 0.25%-degrees-C/min and a cooling terminal temperature of -35-degrees-C before immersion in liquid nitrogen produced the highest embryo yields (18% and 40% of unfrozen controls in two genotypes, respectively). Fast thawing in a 35-degrees-C water bath was necessary to recover a high number of embryos from microspore samples being frozen at a higher cooling rate, while thawing speed did not affect samples after freezing at a slower cooling rate. The storage density of cryopreserved microspores affected embryo production. Storage at the normal culture density (8 X 10(4) microspores/ml) was less efficient for embryo production than at high densities (4 x 10(6) microspores/ml and 1.6 x 10(7) microspores/ml), although no significant difference was found between the high densities. Evaluation of plant lines derived from frozen microspores indicated no variation in isozyme pattern and no enhanced cold tolerance of these lines. Isolated microspores of B. napus could be stored for extended period for in vitro embryo production.