Cryobank

Cryopreservation is an effective and efficient strategy for the long-term conservation of clonally propagated crops. Plant material is stored at ultra-low temperatures in the vapor or liquid phase of liquid nitrogen (-196°C) and at this temperature physiological, chemical, and metabolic activities slow to an extremely low rate. Germplasm can theoretically remain viable for centuries. CIP began cyroperserving potatoes in 1996 and after experimenting with a wide range of protocols and variables, the CIP genebank adopted the PVS2-droplet method, originally developed for the Musa (banana) collection. The CIP genebank has improved the protocol where to date the genebank successfully cryopreserves >450 potato accessions per year (Link to potato OP). In 2013, strict standards for viability assessment, decision-making (thresholds on material to keep or discard), operation, health and safety, and quality control were implemented to ensure long-term fidelity of the germplasm (Link to OP) A crucial part of our standards are that cryopreserved shoot tips maintain the capacity to develop into normal looking in vitro plants with a functional apex, stem, leaves, and roots, without any intermediate callus formation, after removing them from liquid nitrogen (LN) and passing them through the post-thawing recovery steps. For protocols click here.