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Factors affecting stress tolerance in recalcitrant embryonic axes from seeds of four Quercus (Fagaceae) species native to the USA or China |
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| Authors: | Ke Xia Lisa M Hill De-Zhu Li Christina Walters |
| Institution: | 1Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China;2USDA-ARS National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA;3Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China |
| Abstract: | MethodsWater relations and survival of excised axes in response to water loss and cryo-exposure were compared for four Quercus species from subtropical China (Q. franchetii, Q. schottkyana) and temperate USA (Q. gambelii, Q. rubra).ConclusionsQuercus species adapted to arid and semi-humid climates still produce recalcitrant seeds. The ability to avoid freezing rather than drought may be a more important selection factor to increase desiccation tolerance. Cryopreservation of recalcitrant germplasm from temperate species is currently feasible, whilst additional protective treatments are needed for ex situ conservation of Quercus from tropical and subtropical areas. |
| Keywords: | Seed desiccation tolerance recalcitrance embryonic axis critical moisture content cryopreservation oak Cyclobalanopsis subtropical plumule Quercus gambelii Quercus rubra Quercus franchetii Quercus schottkyana |