Canadian Forest Service Publications
An ex situ conservation strategy for butternut (Juglans cinerea): cryopreservation of embryonic axes. 2002. Beardmore, T.; Forbes, K.; MacDonald, Joanne E. Pages 1-6 in C.A. Thanos, T. Beardmore, K.F. Connor, and E.L.,Jr. Tolentino, editors. Tree Seeds 2002, Proceedings: 2002 Annual Meeting of IUFRO 2.09.00. September 11-15, 2002, Chania, Crete. National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Year: 2002
Issued by: Atlantic Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 21470
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Abstract
Butternut (Juglans cinerea L.) survival is threatened in North America by the fungus Sirococcus clavigignenti-juglandacearum. To date, there is no control for this fungal disease and long-term seed storage, to ensure survival of the species, is not a viable option. Embryonic axes (embryo with cotyledonary material removed) will tolerate storage at low temperatures, but tolerance is dependent on the duration that the nuts have been stored. Axes isolated from nuts stored at +4 C for 0, 5, 12, and 18 months were exposed to 0, -5, -10, -15, -40 and -196 C. Only axes isolated from 5- and 12-month-stored nuts tolerated storage at 0 and -5 C, while axes isolated from 12-month-stored nuts also tolerated -10, -15, -40 and -196 C. The highest % germination was obtained from axes isolated from 12-month-stored axes; germination ranged between 52-98% in axes stored at all temperatures. Axes stored at -196 C for 2 years maintained high % germination, suggesting that this may be a feasible means of preserving butternut in the long term.