Cryopreservation of pineapple shoot tips does not affect mineral contents of regenerated plants

The production of pineapple, one of the most economically important tropical fruits globally, is increasingly being threatened by biotic and abiotic factors. Germplasm conservation of pineapple is essential for sustaining breeding programs, and in this regard, cryopreservation is thought to be the best long-term storage option. This short communication describes the effects of pineapple shoot tip cryopreservation on subsequent growth and tissue (stems, leaves and fruit mesocarps) mineral content (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, S, Sr and Zn) of plants during in vitro, acclimatization and field cultivation. Plants generated from liquid nitrogen exposed and control (unexposed) shoot tips did not differ significantly in terms of fresh weight at 45 days of in vitro growth, at 45 days of acclimatization or at 20 months of field cultivation. Similarly, levels of selected minerals were also not modified by cryopreservation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the potential effects of pineapple explant cryopreservation on mineral levels during the subsequent in vitro and field growth.

Automated summary

Conservation of pineapple germplasm is crucial for breeding programs, with cryopreservation considered the best long-term storage option. Research shows that cryopreservation does not significantly affect plant growth and mineral content.