XVI International Botanical Congess

The cryoconservation influence on seed viability of four plant species from Kuril Islands was studied. To test effect of deep freezing (at -196?C) the seeds were frozen by immersion in liquid nitrogen (quick freezing) for 24 hours. After freezing, the seeds were germinated at 22?C. Laboratory germination of frozen seeds and that of control seeds were in Arnica unalaschcensis Less. 38.1% and 22%, in Oxytropis retusa Matsum. 26.9% and 8.7%, in Luzula capitata (Miq.) Kom. 88% and 97.3%, in Empetrum sibiricum V. Vassil. 18.6% and 17.3%, respectively. The results indicate that the freezing of the seeds of the species studied is not a damage factor, moreover, it allows to improve germination capacity of A. unalaschcensis seeds and O. retusa seeds. This information will be useful for long-term storage of the seeds in seed banks.