Cryopreservation by Encapsulation-vitrification of Embryogenic Callus of Wild Crocus (Crocus hyemalis and Crocus moabiticus)

Crocus is asexually propagated plant by corms and it is susceptible to a wide range of pathogens and environmental stresses. it cannot be effectively stored for long periods using conventional methods. cryopreservation by encapsulation-vitrification was studied as a long-term conservation method. callus fragments were encapsulated in 4 mm calcium alginate beads containing hormone-free ms medium. encapsulated beads were dehydrated with the plant vitrification solution 2 (pvs2) [(w/v) 30% glycerol, 15% dmso and 15% eg] for 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 minutes and dipped in liquid nitrogen for at least 1 h. dehydration of cryopreserved encapsulated callus fragments with pvs2 for 20 minutes resulted in 100% survival and regrowth prior to cryopreservation for both species. after cryopreservation, the highest survival (55.6% and 75.0% for c. moabiticus and c. hyemalis, respectively) and highest regrowth (66.7% for both species) were obtained for 20 minutes dehydration with pvs2