Update on the development of advanced technologies for germplasm conservation of tropical fruit species: an ACIAR funded project.
Ashmore S., Drew R.
Author Affiliation: Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Conservation, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.
: 23-27
Abstract : This paper provides an update on the progress of the IPGRI project entitled 'Development of Advanced Technologies for Germplasm Conservation of Tropical Fruit Species', funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research which started in January 2003. The Plant Biotechnology and Conservation Group at the Griffith University (GU) are the Australian partners in this project with partner organizations in Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand. The paper provides a short overview of the project, aims and report on the work (including the development of conservation technologies for papaya [pawpaw], mango, Citrus spp., including native citrus species, and Davidson's plum (Davidsonia spp.)), which has so far been completed at the GU, Nathan, Queensland, Australia. The conservation technologies include cryostorage of seed, micropropagation and cryopreservation of in vitro shoot tips and the development of somatic embryogenesis systems for long-term storage by cryopreservation. Future directions are mentioned.