AUTHOR=Nagar Arvind , Gowthami Ravi , Sureja Amish Kumar , Munshi Anilabha Das , Verma Manjusha , Singh Awani Kumar , Mallick Niharika , Singh Jogendra , Chander Subhash , Shankar Muthusamy , Pathania Pooja , Rajkumar Subramani 

TITLE=Simple cryopreservation protocol for Luffa pollen: enhancing breeding efficiency

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1268726

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1268726

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>This study aimed to develop a long-term pollen storage protocol for <italic>Luffa</italic> species (<italic>L. acutangula</italic>, <italic>L. cylindrica</italic>, <italic>L. echinata</italic>, and <italic>L. graveolens</italic>) and assess its potential for crop improvement. The optimal medium for <italic>in vitro</italic> pollen germination varied by species, with Brewbaker and Kwack (BK) medium with 10% sucrose suitable for <italic>L. acutangula, L. cylindrica</italic>, and <italic>L. echinata</italic>, and BK medium with 3% sucrose ideal for <italic>L. graveolens</italic>. Overestimation in staining tests compared to <italic>in vitro</italic> pollen germination was observed. The best results for cryopreservation were achieved with desiccation periods of 20, 30, and 40 min, maintaining moisture content between 14.04% and 18.55%. Pollen viability was negatively correlated with storage temperature (25, 4, and −20°C) and duration. Cryopreserved pollen at −196°C exhibited the highest viability over a prolonged period (2 months) and was comparable to fresh pollen in terms of germination, ovule fertilization, and fruit and seed set. This study presents a simple and reproducible pollen cryopreservation protocol applicable across <italic>Luffa</italic> species, facilitating long-term storage and its use in crop improvement efforts.</p>