Maria Teresa Gonzalez-Arnao

Advances in Cryogenic Techniques for the Long-Term Preservation of Plant Biodiversity

This chapter presents different technical aspects related to the development and large-scale application of cryopreservation techniques, as a biotechnological approach for the long-term storage of plant biodiversity. The main cryogenic procedures and the key steps for their successful adaptation to diverse forms of germplasm are described. Some representative examples of cryopreservation of different plant species are presented to illustrate the significant progress achieved in the practical utilization of cryopreservation as a complementary alternative for germplasm conservation. In addition, other potential uses of this technology to support genetic breeding programs, and its recent utilization to eliminate systemic plant pathogens through cryotherapy are discussed.

Approaches for In Vitro Conservation of Woody Plants Germplasm

The conservation of plant genetic diversity aims at preserving as much as possible extant species by using innovative and complementary approaches to guarantee the effectiveness of the safeguarding strategies and to face present problems and future threats. The development and implementation of different in vitro conservation techniques have provided improvements for the international exchange of germplasm, for the storage of different in vitro culture forms and for products generated by biotechnology. These methods are also a valuable alternative to relieve the need of large lands extensions, where reserve collections of trees belonging to many woody species are traditionally kept. This chapter provides information of several study cases, describes some useful protocols, and aims at presenting a brief overview of currently available techniques for in vitro conservation to medium- and long-term of woody plant germplasm.