In vitro germination and cryopreservation technique for long-term pollen conservation of underutilized legume: Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus)

Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an underutilized pulse crop which can withstand adverse environmental conditions such as drought, heat, salinity, waterlogging, pest and diseases. To facilitate hybridization studies, pollen cryoconservation was attempted in L. sativus. Among the different media combination tested for vitro germination, BK medium with 15% sucrose optimal. Pollen viability at storage regimes, viz. 25, 4, -20 -196 ºC duration (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 24 h, 1 week, 2 week 6 months). For long-term cryopreservation, ideal MC of 14–16% achieved by desiccating 10 min a laminar air flow (LAF) chamber. Negative correlation found between viability, temperature (25, 4 -20°C). Cryopreserved (-196°C) showed significantly higher compared to all other conditions. The standardized protocol applied 20 accessions Lathyrus conservation up six months without loss viability. Successful fertilization, fruit seed set observed cross combinations using cryoconserved any incompatibility barriers. Hence, present be used pollen. development effective method ensures availability grasspea breeding throughout year.