Preservation of the gene pool of plants under permafrost conditions: State, advantages, and prospects

Abstract

The effect of long-term storage of seeds of three leguminous species (Pisum sativum, Lens culinaris, and Cicer arietinum) on physiological (germination rate) and cytological (mitotic index) parameters of the seeds and seedlings derived therefrom has been studied. It has been found that, after nearly 35 years of storage in permafrost (temperature from −5.5 to −6.0°C) without replanting, the germination of seeds of varieties of the species studied remains at the same or a slightly lower level than in reference samples (seeds of the same varieties harvested in 2007–2009), without a significant difference in root growth rate. The observed number of chromosomal aberrations in root meristem cells does not increase except for in the case of P. sativum cv. Latores and L. culinaris cv. k-2330, and in these cases neither the laboratory germination rate nor the rates of growth processes decrease. Thus, long-term storage of seeds under permafrost conditions favors the preservation of their viability (germination ability) and can be suggested as a promising method of seed storage.