The sequence of the preparative procedures affects the success of cryostorage of cassava somatic embryos

Cassava primary somatic embryos were prepared for cryostorage using both ph ysical drying and cryoprotectant application stages. The effects of the seq uence by which these preparative events were applied to the material was in vestigated. The drying of the somatic embryos before the application of the cryoprotectants resulted in a significantly higher viability after cryosto rage than when the material was first exposed to the cryoprotectants and th en dried. The impact of these preparative procedures on sub-cellular detail was monitored by means of transmission electron microscopy.