| ABSTRACT Cryopreservation is a technique used to preserve genetic material at ultra-low temperatures in cryogenic germplasm banks. In order to enable the cryopreservation of a seed, it is necessary to study its appropriate freezing temperature and its water content, because seeds reach maximum physiological quality with high water contents, and they tolerate drying when they are orthodox seeds, but they may not tolerate cryopreservation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the influence of initial water content (50 to 10% wet basis) on the kinetic behavior of the lima bean seed at the temperature of −150 °C, in addition to determining changes in its physiological quality (germination and vigor) when cryopreserved (−150 °C) for 30 days... |
