Effect of Cryopreservation by Vitrification on the Growth and Development Indices of Rice Zygotic Embryos

Because of the importance of Iranian rice germplasm and its application in the rice breeding programs and international genetic resources exchanges, some researches are necessary to preserve these valuable genetic resources. For this purpose, the cryopreservation of the biological samples in liquid nitrogen at -196 °C can be used. In this research, the cryopreservation of the zygotic embryos of seven rice indigenous and modern cultivars was investigated by vitrification method. The embryos were stored in the liquid nitrogen for 1, 7 and 30 days. After cryopreservation, the embryos were transferred at 38-40 °C for 2 min and then were cultured on MS medium. There were no significant differences among the studied cultivars in the final germination percentage trait, but there were significant differences in vigor index trait in level %5 and in other studied traits in level %. In most traits, there was no significant difference among the storage times in liquid nitrogen while there was a significant decrease in the studied traits in comparison with the control. Investigation of the other cryopreservation methods and treatments on Iranian rice indigenous cultivars germplasm could be recommended.