The in vitro conservation of plants native to the brazilian amazon and atlantic forests

Abstract

This review highlights the studies currently applied to conserve Brazil's native flora from the Amazon and Atlantic Forests and the valuable knowledge gained from genetic diversity and tissue culture studies. The chapter concerns the ex situ germplasm conservation of germplasm using the cryopreservation of seeds of economically important native species. Although studies on the genetic diversity of natural populations are fundamental to establish strategies for sustainable germplasm management and conservation, gaps still remain concerning the development of in vitro conservation strategies, despite efforts to establish in vitro germination, zygotic embryo excision, micropropagation, and somatic embryogenesis protocols for an increasing number of native species. Therefore, future studies are urgently required concerning the development of reproducible in vitro and cryostorage protocols for the conservation of critically endangered plants at high risk of over exploitation, climate change, deforestation and habitat loss.