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Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 3/19/1997 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Cottonseed were placed over liquid nitrogen LN2 (-196 degrees C) for periods of 3 to 180 days. The seed were then returned to room temperature and evaluated for quality, using germination tests and field studies. Storage with LN2 through 180 days had no significant effect on the viability and vigor of different varieties of cottonseed, and young seedlings from the treated seed showed no more tissue damage than seedlings from control seed. Also, treated and control cottonseed grown under field conditions had similar stands and appeared to produce similar amounts of seed cotton. When germination studies were carried out to determine the best seed moisture levels for LN2 treatment, the treated cottonseed performed best at moisture levels between 4 and 12.3%. LN2 treated seed, however, showed a significant drop in quality at moisture levels above 12.3%. These cryogenic studies indicate that storage above but not directly in LN2 may be suitable for long-term preservation of cottonseed and cotton germplasm. Technical Abstract: Cottonseed were placed in culture tubes and the tubes were submerged in liquid nitrogen LN2 (-196 degrees C) for periods of 3 to 180 days. The seed were then returned to room temperature and evaluated for quality, using the Cool-Warm Vigor Index tests and field studies. Storage with LN2 through 180 days had no significant effect on the germination and vigor of different varieties of cottonseed, and young seedlings from the treated seed showed no more tissue damage than seedlings from control seed. Also, treated and control cottonseed grown under field conditions had similar stands and appeared to produce similar amounts of seed cotton. When germination studies were carried out to determine the best seed moisture levels for LN2 treatment, the treated cottonseed performed best at moisture levels between 4 and 12.3%. LN2 treated seed, however, showed a significant drop in quality at moisture levels above 12.3%. Direct immersion of cottonseed into LN2 often caused severe damage to the cotyledons of young seedlings, and though these seed germinated well on paper towels, they did not have good stands under field conditions. These cryogenic studies indicate that storage above but not directly in LN2 may be suitable for long-term preservation of cottonseed and cotton germplasm. |
