title: Effect of cryopreservation on in vitro seed germination and protocorm growth of Mediterranean orchids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cryopreservation is an effective method for the long-term conservation of plant germplasm.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study the effect of liquid nitrogen on seed structure, germination and protocorm development of eight Mediterranean orchid species was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A scanning electron microscopy analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of the immersion in liquid nitrogen on seed integuments. Germination and protocorms growth were obtained applying in vitro cultures techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No micro-morphological differences emerged between cryopreserved and untreated seeds. The effect of the treatment on the seed germination varied on the basis of the species. For Ophrys sphegodes ssp. passionis and Orchis mascula, freezing resulted in a significant increase of germination percentages. Protocorms of all species showed a positive growth trend although some significant differences of size occurred among the protocorms derived from treated and untreated seeds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cryogenic techniques seem to have great potential in orchid germplasm conservation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Amendola, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pirondini
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Amendola, Reggio Emilia, Italy. elisabetta.sgarbi@unimore.it.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sgarbi
mesh_terms: D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D018525:Germination / Q000502:physiology*; D029595:Orchidaceae / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012639:Seeds / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013045:Species Specificity; D014022:Tissue Survival / Q000502:physiology