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Viability and Infectivity of Tuber borchii after Cryopreservation
F Piattoni1, P Leonardi1, B Siham1
1Department of Agricultural Sciences, Bologna University, Viale Fanin, Bologna, Italy.
Cryo Letters
|April 5, 2017
Summary
Cryopreservation effectively conserves Tuber spp. mycelia, preserving truffle (Tuber spp.) biodiversity. This method ensures truffle mycelia remain viable and infective after liquid nitrogen storage, safeguarding endangered fungal resources.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Plant Pathology
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Truffles (Tuber spp.) are highly valued ectomycorrhizal fungi.
- Truffle biodiversity faces significant threats and is endangered.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop a cryopreservation protocol for Tuber spp. mycelia.
- Assess the impact of liquid nitrogen storage on truffle mycelial viability, growth, morphology, and infectivity.
- Utilize Tuber borchii as a model species for protocol development.
Main Methods:
- Cryopreservation using sorbitol, sucrose, and DMSO as cryoprotectants.
- Analysis of morphological parameters: hyphal diameter, septal distance, and hyphal growth unit.
- Infection assays using Quercus robur seedlings to evaluate mycelial infectivity.
Main Results:
- Cryopreserved Tuber borchii mycelium exhibited a lag phase of 6-42 days.
- No significant differences in growth curve, growth rate, or hyphal morphology were observed, except for the hyphal growth unit.
- Mycorrhizal colonization rates were comparable between cryopreserved and non-cryopreserved mycelium.
Conclusions:
- The developed protocol enables effective long-term conservation of Tuber mycelium.
- This advancement facilitates the establishment of a Tuber spp. germplasm bank.
- Cryopreservation is a viable strategy for preserving endangered truffle diversity.