Biotechnology and the conservation of forest genetic resources: in vitro strategies and cryopreservation

Abstract

In vitro techniques have a clear role within ex situ conservation strategies for trees and crop genetic resources, particularly where it is important to conserve specific genotypes or where normal propagules such as recalcitrant seed may not be suitable for long-term storage. These involve the use of conventional micropropagation, restricted growth techniques and cryopreservation. Although these techniques have been used primarily with herbaceous species, increasing attention is being given to woody species. Cryopreservation techniques for both woody and herbaceous species and new approaches which do not require freeze-induced cell dehydration, referred to as the ‘encapsulation-dehydration’ and the ‘vitrification’ techniques are described. Illustrative data are presented for the cryopreservation of willow using the encapsulation-dehydration technique.