My seeds of Amburana cearensis (Fabaceae) were frozen in liquid N2 and during thawing (even in refrigerator, 10oC) they burst (exploded, popped!) I don't even know the right term for that.
The water content was 9%, not ultra low, but not high either.
Who can explain to me what happened? Papers are welcome!
Dear Barbara,
The only explanation is the moisture content of these seeds in conjunction with their chemical composition. I do not have experience with this species, but 9% of water content seems to me high to Fabaceae because 9% is only for species with high content of starch and impermeable packing. See page 229 of Popinigis (1977) - Free for download. Soybean that is rich in oil and protein is about 7%. In fact, the problem is during the thawing. The ice increases in size and will destroy the cells membranes. In this case, publications from Christina Walters is the best reference for consulting. On the other hand, researchers freezing fish spermatozoides and ovules have a lot of simillar problem during the thawing procedures. Death is the usual. This could give you a light into the problem. There, they have a lot of suggestion to overcome the situation. Some chemicals are added to ovules for improving the process. In fact, the fragile system is destroyed during the thawing. Best regards, Walter
Hi Barbara,
Fabaceae seeds are usually rich in raffinose series oligosaccharides; the ones that cause flatulence. These can accumulate and then expand when intact frozen seeds come to room temperature, causing potentially fatal tissue disruption (popping) if seeds are intact.
During freezing the seeds will increase in volume and exerts more pressure on seed coat , this is responsible for explosion experienced and this is in line with boyles law
the investigation on early performance of Duong mandarin on three rootstock under acid sulfate soil fields (pH below 4) at Mekong Delta of Vietnam was undertaken from 2009 to 2012 for determination of the most promising scion stock combination of Duong mandarin, which introduced to growers for expanding citrus production to increase in income of farmers, and helping to use the sustainable and efficient land resource at acid sulfate soil region of Mekong Delta. Primary results showed that Duong mandarin grafted on Mat orange, Tau lemon and Carrizo citrange were significant differenence in vegetative parameters, fruit yield and quality. It proved that Duong mandarin trees grafted on Tau lemon were better growth and development on acid sulfate soil fields with below 4 pH in soil and water suspension of 1:2.5 ratio) as compared to those grafted on Mat orange and Carrizo citrange rootstocks; whereby, trees grafted on Tau lemon produced highest fruit yield of 9.21 kg per tree per year in third year after planting, and fruit with 115.30g weight, 8.85 brix juice, thinner and somewhat easy peel rind.
The results of investigation on early evaluation of compatibility between commercial citrus varieties, and Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) and Carrizo citrange (C. sinensis Osb. x P. trifoliata L. Raf.) rootstocks, at Mekong Delta Vietnam, in the 3rd and 4th year after planting under the trial fields, the trees of Sanh orange (C. nobilis Lour.) budded on Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) were supperior with precocity, producing high number of fruits (16.67 fruits per tree ), and very good fruit quality of larger fruit size (334.6 g and 11.16 cm, fruit weight and diameter, respectively), higher total soluble solids (12.5 brix), better orange-yellow juice color development, and excellent flavor and aroma of juice, as compared to the typical characteristics; meanwhile these were followed by trees of seedless Mat orange budded on Kaffir lime, which produced the highest number of fruits (47.33 fruits per tree), with little inferior quality of seedy fruit (1-3 seeds per fruit), lower total soluble solids (7.33%), and no good flavor and aroma, as somewhat differed from the typical fruit traits.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Seeds