Effects of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) and loading duration on the shoot tip cryopreservation of loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica )

Abstract

Two cryoprotectant solutions, including trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and several loading durations were used to evaluate the cryopreservation of the shoot tip of Eriobotrya plants. The best results for regrowth (59.91%) were obtained from 10% TMAO compared to 10% DMSO as cryoprotectant, although nonsignificant differences were found for survival between the two cryoprotectants. We detected pronounced effects of loading duration on survival and regrowth rates of shoot tips. The maximum regrowth (56.36%) was observed at 9 h of loading duration. The cryoprotectants and loading durations greatly affected the regrowth of Eriobotrya shoot tips, and TMAO could be introduced as a nontoxic and efficient cryoprotectant. These results could lay a foundation for the cryopreservation of Eriobotrya.