Current status of the cryopreservation of embryogenic material of woody species

Current status of the cryopreservation of embryogenic material of woody species

17 January 2024 | Daniel Ballesteros¹², María Teresa Martínez³, Carolina Sánchez-Romero⁴, Itziar Aurora Montalbán⁵, Ester Sales⁶, Paloma Moncaleán⁵, Isabel Arrillaga⁷ and Elena Corredoira³*
Cryopreservation of embryogenic material in woody species is a critical technique for long-term conservation of genetic material, especially for species with limited natural regeneration. This review summarizes current methods and challenges in cryopreserving embryogenic material from conifers, fruit species, deciduous forest species, and palms. The main techniques include slow cooling, vitrification, and desiccation-based methods. Each method has specific protocols and considerations for optimal success. Slow cooling involves gradual cooling to temperatures near -40°C followed by rapid immersion in liquid nitrogen (LN). This method is widely used for conifer embryogenic materials. Vitrification, which involves the use of cryoprotective solutions (PVS) to prevent ice formation, is effective for many species, including conifers and fruit trees. Desiccation-based methods, which involve drying explants in a controlled environment, are used for some species, particularly those with recalcitrant seeds. The selection of initial explants is crucial for successful cryopreservation. Factors such as the age, physiological state, and size of the explant must be considered. Preconditioning treatments, such as cold hardening and osmotic agents, help improve survival and recovery after cryopreservation. Cryoprotection is essential to prevent cellular damage during freezing and thawing. Rewarming is a critical step that must be carefully controlled to avoid ice recrystallization. The success of cryopreservation is assessed by the recovery of viable somatic embryos and the ability of the material to regenerate. High recovery rates (typically over 20-30%) are required for successful cryopreservation. Cryopreservation of embryogenic material is particularly useful for the conservation of clonal crops and for the development of multi-variety forestry. It allows for the long-term storage of genetic material, reducing the risk of loss due to contamination or genetic variation. The combination of cryopreservation with somatic embryogenesis enables the preservation of juvenile lines while clones are tested in the field. This technique is essential for the conservation of woody species, especially those facing threats from deforestation, climate change, and other environmental factors.Cryopreservation of embryogenic material in woody species is a critical technique for long-term conservation of genetic material, especially for species with limited natural regeneration. This review summarizes current methods and challenges in cryopreserving embryogenic material from conifers, fruit species, deciduous forest species, and palms. The main techniques include slow cooling, vitrification, and desiccation-based methods. Each method has specific protocols and considerations for optimal success. Slow cooling involves gradual cooling to temperatures near -40°C followed by rapid immersion in liquid nitrogen (LN). This method is widely used for conifer embryogenic materials. Vitrification, which involves the use of cryoprotective solutions (PVS) to prevent ice formation, is effective for many species, including conifers and fruit trees. Desiccation-based methods, which involve drying explants in a controlled environment, are used for some species, particularly those with recalcitrant seeds. The selection of initial explants is crucial for successful cryopreservation. Factors such as the age, physiological state, and size of the explant must be considered. Preconditioning treatments, such as cold hardening and osmotic agents, help improve survival and recovery after cryopreservation. Cryoprotection is essential to prevent cellular damage during freezing and thawing. Rewarming is a critical step that must be carefully controlled to avoid ice recrystallization. The success of cryopreservation is assessed by the recovery of viable somatic embryos and the ability of the material to regenerate. High recovery rates (typically over 20-30%) are required for successful cryopreservation. Cryopreservation of embryogenic material is particularly useful for the conservation of clonal crops and for the development of multi-variety forestry. It allows for the long-term storage of genetic material, reducing the risk of loss due to contamination or genetic variation. The combination of cryopreservation with somatic embryogenesis enables the preservation of juvenile lines while clones are tested in the field. This technique is essential for the conservation of woody species, especially those facing threats from deforestation, climate change, and other environmental factors.
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