Cryopreservation of Caninae rose shoot tips guarantees biochemical stability and pollination potential monitored in four-year-old regenerants

Stability of Rosa agrestis, R. canina, R. dumalis and R. rubiginosa regenerants after shoot tip cryopreservation was monitored with the use of biochemical markers and pollen quality assessment in matured plants cultivated in the field. The results of rosa pollen and hip evaluation revealed no significant differences between post-cryopreserved regenerants and control plants; however, variations in the assessed markers were noted between Rosa species. Analyses of hips confirmed high levels of vitamin C in these plants; the highest was observed in R. dumalis (750–870 mg/100 g fresh weight). High total antioxidant activity (TAC) was as follows: DPPH – 50–250 mM TE/100 dry weight, FRAP – 80–180 mM TE/100 g dry weight. The present study showed a high content of flavonoids (TFC) and phenols (TPC). Post-cryopreserved plants retained pollen specific for Caninae: numerous anthers, abundant pollen, poor pollen germination and viability and typical pollen morphology. This study demonstrates new tools for evaluating the fidelity of post-cryopreserved regenerants.