The objective of this work was to evaluate the crioconservation of cotton seed. At first, the water limit content for the crioconservation (TALC) was determined. For this determination, the seeds were immerse in liquid nitrogen during five days and after this period they were unfrozen and submitted to germination and vigor test. The statistical design used was completely randomized with the factorial. A portion of seeds was used with water limit content previously determinated for the different cultivars, since this has proceeded the storage in liquid nitrogen and in nitrogen vapor. The experimental design used in this stage was completely randomized in subdivided plots over time. In each period of storage the seeds were submitted to germination and vigor tests. According to the obtained results, it was concluded that: (a) the water content limit for crioconservation (TALC), during 5 days, for the conservation of four cultivars, considering the germination of these cultivars, is between 6 and 8% and, as to the seed vigor, the TALC was 6%; (b) the seeds of the different cultivars can be crioconserved in germoplasma bank at two temperatures; (c) the crioconservation increases the percentage of germination and the vigor of the cotton seeds, due to this temperature promoting termination of dormancy by the action of cold.
Gossypium hirsutum L.; germoplasma; germination; seed vigor
