Applied pollen conservation research of endangered Hawaiian endemic Hibiscus and Pritchardia species

Storage of pollen allows for gene exchange between geographically isolated individuals, and for controlled pollination when flowering of staminate and pistillate flowers or individual plants is asynchronous. Desiccation of pollen is essential for the retention of high longevity, yet research into pollen storage behavior of wild species is infrequently performed. Hibiscus clayi and Pritchardia minor […]

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Why Seeds and Spores Die in the Freezer and Sometimes Faster That Anticipated

Screenshot from Why Seeds and Spores Die in the Freezer and Sometimes Faster That Anticipated video

Chris Walters, Research Leader of the Plant Germplasm Preservation Research team at USDA-ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation Knowing how long storedgermplasmsurvives is critical for effective banking of genetic resources. Longevity is inherently difficult to predict because there are so many factors controlling how cells respond to storage conditions. Uncertainty increases forgermplasmcollections of natural […]

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