بررﺳﻲ اﻣﻜﺎن ﻧﮕﻬﺪاری ﺑﺬر ﻳﻮﻧﺠﻪ زراﻋﻲ Medicago sativa L. در ﺷﺮاﻳﻂ ﻓﺮا ﺳﺮد ( Cryopreservation )

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a perennial forage crop and cultivated in most parts of Iran. Regarding the long-term history of alfalfa cultivation in the country, a numerous populations and high levels of genetic variation observed in the species. In order to maintain genetic diversity, seed genetic characteristics and to prevent genetic erosion, long-term preservation of the seeds via cryopreservation is the most important concerning issue. Seeds of the alfalfa was harvested from Agricultural Research Station of Hamadan and subjected to cryopreservation experiments. In order to achieve suitable pre-cryopreservation treatment, three pre-cryopreservation treatments including 30%Glycerol, PVS2 and Desiccation (including Control) was employed. The treated seeds (except Control) were incubated under liquid nitrogen (LN) conditions or -196°C for 1 week, 1 month, 12 months and 26 months, respectively. The seeds were removed from LN and subjected to heat shock. Some of the seed attributes such as seed germination and establishment were investigated under laboratory conditions. The results showed that Medicago sativa seeds can be long-term preserved under cryogenic (-196°C) conditions. The results also revealed that there are significant differences between pre-cryopreservation treatments including 30%Glycerol, PVS2 and Desiccation for most of the attributes. In this regard, the Desiccation showed excellent cryoprotectant ability compared to those of 30%Glycerol and PVS2.