title: Potential applications of cryogenic technologies to plant genetic improvement and pathogen eradication.
abstract: Rapid increases in human populations provide a great challenge to ensure that adequate quantities of food are available. Sustainable development of agricultural production by breeding more productive cultivars and by increasing the productive potential of existing cultivars can help meet this demand. The present paper provides information on the potential uses of cryogenic techniques in ensuring food security, including: (1) long-term conservation of a diverse germplasm and successful establishment of cryo-banks; (2) maintenance of the regenerative ability of embryogenic tissues that are frequently the target for genetic transformation; (3) enhancement of genetic transformation and plant regeneration of transformed cells, and safe, long-term conservation for transgenic materials; (4) production and maintenance of viable protoplasts for transformation and somatic hybridization; and (5) efficient production of pathogen-free plants. These roles demonstrate that cryogenic technologies offer opportunities to ensure food security.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants of Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture of China, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Biao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants of Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture of China, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ren-Rui
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants of Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture of China, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhen-Hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants of Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture of China, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wen-Lu
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants of Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture of China, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jing-Wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants of Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture of China, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Bai-Quan
authors.initials: BQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: IVALSA/Trees and Timber Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Elif Aylin
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ozudogru
authors.affiliation: National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, USDA, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
authors.forename: Gayle M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Volk
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, Key Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Plants of Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture of China, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: qiaochunwang@nwsuaf.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Qiao-Chun
authors.initials: QC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology; D001947:Breeding; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005523:Food Supply; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D010944:Plants
keywords: Classical breeding; Cryogenic techniques; Cryotherapy; Genetic engineering; Genetic improvement; Germplasm; Pathogen