Asclepias curassavica, commonly known as tropical milkweed, is a self-compatible, cross-pollinated species with ecological, medicinal, and horticultural significance. To ensure its long-term conservation and availability for breeding and ecological restoration, cryopreservation of its pollinia offers a reliable storage method. This study outlines a systematic approach to pollinia collection, viability assessment, and cryopreservation. Fully opened flowers are collected between 10:00 and 11:00 AM, and a total of ten pollinia are extracted per flower using fine needles and forceps. Moisture content is optimized to 15–20% through desiccation with zeolite granules before storage. Pollinia are packed in gelatin capsules, sealed in airtight aluminum pouches, and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (−196 °C). At 1-month intervals, stored pollinia are thawed at room temperature (27 ± 3 °C) for 2–3 min and assessed for viability using in vitro germination on Brewbaker and Kwack medium containing 20% sucrose, 100 ppm boric acid, 300 ppm calcium nitrate, 100 ppm potassium nitrate, and 200 ppm magnesium sulfate. An alternative viability test involves manual pollination. Cryopreservation maintains the functional integrity of pollinia, supporting genetic conservation, controlled pollination, and synchronized seed production. This technique ensures the sustainable use of A. curassavica, crucial for pollinator conservation and ecological restoration.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Optimizing Pollen Cryopreservation in Asclepias curassavica

  • P E Rajasekharan,
  • B. L. Navya

摘要

Asclepias curassavica, commonly known as tropical milkweed, is a self-compatible, cross-pollinated species with ecological, medicinal, and horticultural significance. To ensure its long-term conservation and availability for breeding and ecological restoration, cryopreservation of its pollinia offers a reliable storage method. This study outlines a systematic approach to pollinia collection, viability assessment, and cryopreservation. Fully opened flowers are collected between 10:00 and 11:00 AM, and a total of ten pollinia are extracted per flower using fine needles and forceps. Moisture content is optimized to 15–20% through desiccation with zeolite granules before storage. Pollinia are packed in gelatin capsules, sealed in airtight aluminum pouches, and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen (−196 °C). At 1-month intervals, stored pollinia are thawed at room temperature (27 ± 3 °C) for 2–3 min and assessed for viability using in vitro germination on Brewbaker and Kwack medium containing 20% sucrose, 100 ppm boric acid, 300 ppm calcium nitrate, 100 ppm potassium nitrate, and 200 ppm magnesium sulfate. An alternative viability test involves manual pollination. Cryopreservation maintains the functional integrity of pollinia, supporting genetic conservation, controlled pollination, and synchronized seed production. This technique ensures the sustainable use of A. curassavica, crucial for pollinator conservation and ecological restoration.