Abstract
Greenhouse-grown shoots of Plagiomnium affine (Funck) Kop. were incubated in solutions of various potential cryoprotectants prior to freeze–thaw treatment. Sucrose uptake and release and plasmolysis studies indicated that the permeability of the plasma membrane of leaf cells for sugars, proline, and polyethylene glycols with average molecular weights of 400 (PEG-400) and 1000 (PEG-1000) was very low or insignificant, but that dimethylsulfoxide readily penetrated into the cytosol. Pretreatment of shoots at concentrations of these compounds that induced plasmolysis effectively increased the cryoprotection of the moss tissue. Obviously, damage of the plasma membrane by freeze–thaw treatment was avoided when compatible solutes reached a sufficient concentration either in the cytosol, outside the protoplast, or in both compartments. Pretreatment of shoots with hypertonic glycerol and PEG-4000 solutions also caused plasmolysis but did not prevent freeze–thaw damage. Efficient cryoprotection of moss thalli by various additives indicates that cryoprotective compounds could also play a role in acquisition of frost tolerance of bryophytes. Key words: cryoprotection, freezing, frost tolerance, permeation, photosynthesis, Plagiomnium affine, sucrose.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
