Apple dormant bud cryopreservation:Methodology

In the Czech Republic, ex situ and in vitro conservation is used for apple tree germplasm conservation. In relation to the strategy of maintenance of broad genetic potential of apple tree, there is a necessity to preserve genotypes by storage at ultralow temperatures – cryoconservation. Based on broad spectrum of apple cultivars, an optimised dormant bud cryopreservation protocol was developed. The developed cryoprotocol enables to establish a safe backup storage system for ex situ and in vitro collections of apple tree germplasm. The Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic is the user of this methodology and it will utilize it in the framework of “National Programme on Conservation and Utilization of Plant, Animal and Microbial Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture”