Effects of salicylic acid on cold preservation and cryopreservation of encapsulated embryonic axes of Persian lilac (Melia azedarach L.)

Embryonic axes of Persian lilac (Melia azedarach L.) encapsulated into calcium alginate beads with sucrose (0.75 M) and salicylic acid (0, 50 muM, 200 muM) were subjected to cryopreservation technique with dehydration and freezing in liquid nitrogen or to cold preservation by stocking alginate beads in empty petri dishes for 4 months at 4 degreesC. In these two cases 200 muM salicylic acid enhanced significantly the percentage of viability of encapsulated embryonic axes and the role of salicylic acid in increasing tolerance to dehydration is discussed.