TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES FOR TREE SPECIES

Cryropreservation of Germplasm of trees

The rapid rate of diminishing of the genetic resources has caused concern of great magnitude for the conservation of important and elite germplasm. For this, cryopreservation techniques have been evolved which involves freeze preservation of cells, tissue and organs as a meaningfull tool for long term conservation (-196ºC), establishment of gene banks and international exchange of germplasm.

Clonal Reposities and Germplasm banks

Meristem cultures and in vitro plantlets can be packed in cardboard and foam boxes transported to international destinations. This distributions and the exchange of desirable germplasm can also be effectively carried out by the transfer of frozen cells and tissues in portable liquied nitrogen cylinders and can be transported by air. Hence it is highly desirable to set up “Germplasm banks” and clonal repositories of the rare, elite and other desirable genetic stock of trees.  Such banks should be responsible for the storage, maintenance and the exchange of germplasm of trees both at national and international levels.