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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » National Clonal Germplasm Repository » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #211274
Title: Cryopreservation-Practical Considerations

Author
item Reed, Barbara

Submitted to: Plant Cryopreservation, A Practical Guide
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2007
Publication Date: 11/12/2007
Citation: Reed, B.M. 2007. Cryopreservation-Practical Considerations. In: Reed, B.M. Plant Cryopreservation, A Practical Guide. New York, NY: Springer. p. 3-14.

Interpretive Summary: Techniques for storing plants in liquid nitrogen (-320 °F) were developed over the past 40 years and are now being fully implemented for the storage of important plants. Several techniques are now directly applicable for plants in hundreds of species. In addition to actual techniques, there are many practical considerations that need to be resolved before storage is initiated. Because cryopreservation is labor intensive, the order of plants must be prioritized for storage. Preplanning for storage vessels, storage location, number of replicates, viability testing and types of records to be kept are all vital for the successful recovery of stored plants. Each facility can develop a useful storage system for important plant materials by carefully considering the materials to use and planning the multiple aspects of storage.

Technical Abstract: Plant cryopreservation techniques were developed over the past 40 years and are now being fully implemented for the storage of important plants. Controlled rate cooling, vitrification, encapsulation dehydration, dormant bud preservation, and combinations of these techniques are now directly applicable for plants in hundreds of species. In addition to actual techniques, there are many practical considerations that need to be resolved before storage is initiated. Because cryopreservation is labor intensive, the order of plants must be prioritized for storage. Preplanning for storage vessels, storage location, number of replicates, viability testing and types of records to be kept are all vital for the successful recovery of stored plants. Each facility can develop a useful storage system for important plant materials by carefully considering the materials to use and planning the multiple aspects of storage.