Probabilistic viability calculations for cryopreserving vegetatively propagated collections in genebanks

摘要

Vegetatively propagated plant collections within genebanks are vulnerable to threats when they are maintained in field or greenhouse conditions. International genebanking standards recommend that these collections be securely backed-up at either secondary locations or by using in vitro culture or cryopreservation. A series of tools and tables were developed to assist genebank managers in determining the predicted number of viable explants after cryopreservation procedures have been employed based on the number of samples processed and the viability for a range of confidence levels (0.5, 0.75, 0.90, 0.95, and 0.99). In addition, critical viabilities were estimated which represent the minimum viability required to have at least one viable explant for a given number of explants stored per cryovial or tube. The plant cryobanking literature was surveyed to summarize the sample processing practices that have been implemented within genebanks. The minimum number of explants predicted to be viable for accessions within these cryobanked collections was calculated based on the published minimum viability levels and numbers of explants processed. Implementation of the proposed tools and tables will allow genebank managers to determine if shifts in their current methods could result in more efficient back-up procedures.