CRYOPRESERVATION OF MORICANDIA-ARVENSIS (L) DC (BRASSICACEAE) CELL-SUSPENSIONS - BENEFICIAL-EFFECTS OF PLURONIC F-68

Cell suspension cultures of Moricandia arvensis, a photosynthetic C-3- C-4 intermediate within the Brassicaceae, were recovered from cryogeni c storage. Post-thaw cell viability, determined by triphenyltetrazoliu m chloride reduction and cell re-growth, was influenced by composition of the cryoprotectant and, positively, by incorporation into the post -thaw medium of 0.01% (w/v) of the non-ionic surfactant, Pluronic F-68 . The growth characteristics of re-established suspension cultures wer e similar to those of non-cryopreserved suspensions. Re-established su spensions also released viable protoplasts in yields comparable to the same non-cryopreserved cell suspensions.