Cryopreservation of Sesame indicum L. seeds

Abstract

A study on cryopreservation of Sesame indicum L. seed was carried out at the Biotechnology Research and Development Office from October 2018 to September 2020. This research was conducted to study seed moisture content (%) which is the main factor affecting seed storage by comparison with ambient conditions for a period of 1 month. Split split plot design was laid out with 4 replicates of each condition. The main plot consisted of 6 certified sesame cultivars of the Department of Agriculture: 1) white-seeded cultivar 'Roi et 1'; 2) white-seeded cultivar 'Mahasarakhram 60'; 3) white-seeded cultivar 'Ubonratchathani 2'; 4) black-seeded cultivar 'Ubonratchathani 3'; 5) red-seeded cultivar 'Ubonratchathani 1'; and 6) red-seeded cultivar 'Ubonratchathani 2'. The sub plot consisted of 4 levels of seed moisture content (%): 8 (initial), 6, 4, and 2 and the sub sub plot consisted of 3 storage periods: 0 day, 7 days, and 1 month. Seed viability by monitoring changes in percent of seed germination and oil content were recorded. The result showed that all cultivars of sesame could be kept in cryopreservation but the seed moisture content should be reduced to 6% or lower to maintain seed viability and oil content of sesame seeds.