Technical Abstract: The numerous research reports on cryopreservation over the past few years have been very encouraging and provide the basis for application to plant systems. For desiccation-tolerant seeds and pollen methodology is straightforward and more extensive use is envisioned. For more hydrated propagules, methods have been described for a very wide range of taxa, but repeatability and effectiveness across diversity needs to be further assessed before adoption. Although the physical basis for cryoprotection and events that occur during cooling and warming are elusive, an understanding of the overall process is emerging such that some control over viability is possible. Manipulations of the stock plant physiological status, cryobiology phase and recovery steps are providing information that suggest some generalities in approaching the overall problem of cryopreservation of germplasm.