Bauhinia, a genus renowned for its medicinal properties and ornamental value, faces significant threats from habitat loss and climate change, making the preservation of its genetic resources critical. Cryopreservation of pollen offers a viable solution for maintaining genetic diversity and securing long-term access to these valuable resources. This study aimed to optimize cryopreservation protocols for Bauhinia pollen, employing a controlled dehydration process followed by storage in liquid nitrogen at −196 °C. Pollen collection was performed during peak anthesis to ensure maximum viability, and the pollen was carefully handled to prevent damage. A desiccation step using silica gel ensured the removal of excess moisture before storage. Viability and germination were assessed through a pollen germination assay, using BNK medium, and pollen tube growth was monitored after staining with Alexander stain. The results demonstrated that cryopreservation maintained high pollen viability and germination rates, confirming the effectiveness of the optimized protocol. This cryopreservation method ensures the long-term preservation of Bauhinia genetic material, supporting future breeding programs, conservation efforts, and sustainable use of Bauhinia species for medicinal and ornamental purposes, ultimately contributing to the conservation of this ecologically and medicinally significant genus.

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Pollen Cryopreservation of Bauhinia purpurea L.

  • P. Harshid,
  • N. Khadeeja Rila,
  • P E Rajasekharan,
  • N. S. Pradeep

摘要

Bauhinia, a genus renowned for its medicinal properties and ornamental value, faces significant threats from habitat loss and climate change, making the preservation of its genetic resources critical. Cryopreservation of pollen offers a viable solution for maintaining genetic diversity and securing long-term access to these valuable resources. This study aimed to optimize cryopreservation protocols for Bauhinia pollen, employing a controlled dehydration process followed by storage in liquid nitrogen at −196 °C. Pollen collection was performed during peak anthesis to ensure maximum viability, and the pollen was carefully handled to prevent damage. A desiccation step using silica gel ensured the removal of excess moisture before storage. Viability and germination were assessed through a pollen germination assay, using BNK medium, and pollen tube growth was monitored after staining with Alexander stain. The results demonstrated that cryopreservation maintained high pollen viability and germination rates, confirming the effectiveness of the optimized protocol. This cryopreservation method ensures the long-term preservation of Bauhinia genetic material, supporting future breeding programs, conservation efforts, and sustainable use of Bauhinia species for medicinal and ornamental purposes, ultimately contributing to the conservation of this ecologically and medicinally significant genus.