Vol. 40 No. 3 (2026):
Articles

Seed cryopreservation in Catharanthus roseus L., impacts on leaf structure, vegetative growth, and biochemical composition of the germinated plantlets

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  • S. Mahomoud Heider,
  • S.N. Azoz,
  • A.A. El-Tantawy
S. Mahomoud Heider
Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt.
S.N. Azoz
Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt.
A.A. El-Tantawy
Plant Production Program, Faculty of Desert Agriculture, King Salman International University, Ras Sudr, 46612 South Sinai, Egypt.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/ahsc-17955
Categories

Published 2026-10-26

Keywords

  • Abscisic acid (ABA),
  • alkaloids,
  • desiccation,
  • gibberellic acid (GA3),
  • seed germination

How to Cite

Mahmoud Heider, S., Azoz, S. N., & El-Tantawy, A. A. (2026). Seed cryopreservation in Catharanthus roseus L., impacts on leaf structure, vegetative growth, and biochemical composition of the germinated plantlets. Advances in Horticultural Science, 40(3), 253–269. https://doi.org/10.36253/ahsc-17955

Copyright (c) 2026 Shaimaa Mahmoud Heider, Samah Azoz, Ahmed El-Tantawy

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Cryopreservation offers a valuable approach for the long-term conservation of plant genetic resources, but its influence on seed viability and plant development remains underexplored. This study investigates the physiological and biochemical effects of different pre-cryopreservation drying treatments on Catharanthus roseus seeds. Seeds were subjected to silica gel desiccation and oven drying before immersion in liquid nitrogen (-196°C). Results showed that a moderate oven drying period (10 minutes) preserved high seed viability and led to optimal plantlet growth, mirroring untreated controls. In contrast, prolonged silica gel drying (3, and 9 hours) as well as drying for 20 min in oven significantly reduced germination rates, plantlet height, biomass, and levels of carbohydrates and alkaloids. Anatomical evaluations revealed improved vascular and mesophyll structures in plantlet leaves derived from oven-dried seeds, while moderate silica gel exposure increased epidermal thickness, indicating enhanced stress resilience. Hormonal analyses showed higher gibberellic acid (GA₃) and lower abscisic acid (ABA) levels in successfully germinated seeds. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the importance of pre-cryopreservation drying for optimizing plantlet performance and plant development with implications for pharmaceuticals. Thus, this research contributes to refining cryopreservation strategies for sustainable conservation of medicinal plants like Catharanthus roseus plants.

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