Background : Ginseng seeds are one of short-lived seeds species which loose their viability easily in the condition of conventional storage. Cryopreservation using liquid nitrogen (LN) has been recommended as a alternative storage for this kind of germplasm short lived or dessiccation-sensitive. This study was performed to find out whether cryopreservation could assure initial viability not only for seeds with high germination rate but also for seeds with low germination rate (in aging process).
Methods and Results : In this work, 3 cultivars of dehisced ginseng seeds were artificial aged in the condition of 40℃, 95% RH during 6 hours with 3 hours-interval. The germination rate of ginseng seeds was decreased to the range of 71 - 94% of initial viability by artificial aging treatment. After 24 hours of vapor-LN exposure on both of artificial aged and non treated seeds as a cryopreservation, germination rate for each cultivar was decreased with the range of 76 - 95% of initial viability. While the decreasing patterns of germination rate for each cultivar showed similar curves between before and after vapor-LN exposure, the aging effects could be slightly little by cryopreservation for 3 cultivars of ginseng seeds.
Conclusion : From the above results, we may suggest that cryopreservation could be recommened for storage tool of dehisced ginseng seeds even with low viability also and expected to make slower seed aging process during preservation period through further study.