Pollen cryobanking in wild solanums for conservation and utilization of nuclear genetic diversity

Wild species of Solanum have been identified and used for incorporating various biotic and abiotic stress resistance traits in cultivated eggplants. This investigation was undertaken to test the feasibility of pollen cryopreservation of nine wild Solanum species for their long-term conservation and utilization. The pollens from each species were cryopreserved after initial viability assessment. Furthermore, their viability was tested at periodic intervals using a completely randomized design. Highest fresh pollen viability was observed in S. aethiopicum L. (70.39%) and the lowest in S. gilo Raddi. (40.09%). Pollen viability was retained in all species without any significant reduction during the storage in liquid nitrogen for 36 weeks. Moreover, 100% fruit set was obtained using fresh as well as cryopreserved pollens in the species S. aethiopicum L., S. indicum L., S. gilo Raddi., and S. viarum Dunal. In vitro germinability was maintained in pollen grains of all studied species, proving that these preserved pollens could be utilized after being frozen at ultralow temperatures.