DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR GERMPLASM CONSERVATION OF TROPICAL FRUIT SPECIES - CITRUS AND NEPHELIUM SPP.

Polyembryonic citrus seeds cryopreservation method using desiccation and embryonic callus cryopreservation method using new encapsulation dehydration were studied. Also, monoembryonic citrus cryopreservation method using new encapsulation dehydration and shoot-tip grafting were investigated. In Rambutan, it was found that the percentage of survival dramatically decreased when the moisture content of axes droped below 50%. Longer pre-growth and pre-treatment reduced viability percentage prior to expose to LN. No survival was obtained after cryopreservation in LN either using encapsulation or vitrification.