Conservation of endemic species from the Russian Far East using seed cryopreservation

A seed response to cryopreservation has been studied in 11 endemic plant species from the Russian Far East to determine the possibility of their long-term storage. It has been shown that the cryogenic treatment does not kill seeds. The viability of 10 species did not decrease (or even increased) after their cryogenic storage. We have not revealed any deviations in the development of plants germinated from seeds stored at an extremely low temperature (-196A degrees C). To monitor germination after long-term storage, procedures of seed germination under laboratory conditions have been developed. The results of this study contribute to the creation of low-temperature seed banks, able to conserve and restore a floral biological diversity.