Resources 2013, 2, 73-95; doi:10.3390/resources2020073 OPEN ACCESS resources ISSN 2079-9276 www.mdpi.com/journal/resources Review Biotechnology and Conservation of Plant Biodiversity Carlos Alberto Cruz-Cruz 1, María Teresa González-Arnao 1 and Florent Engelmann 2,* 1 Faculty of Chemistry Sciences, University of Veracruz, Prolongación Oriente 6, No. 1009, Orizaba, Veracruz 94340, México; E-Mails:
[email protected] (C.A.C.-C.);
[email protected] (M.T.G.-A.) 2 UMR DIADE, Joint Research Unit “Diversity, Adaptation and Development of Plants”, IRD (Research Institute for Development), 911 Avenue Agropolis, BP 64501, 34032 Montpellier cedex 5, France * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
[email protected]; Tel.: +33-4-67-41-62-24; Fax: +33-4-67-41-62-22. Received: 19 April 2013; in revised form: 5 May 2013 / Accepted: 8 May 2013 / Published: 4 June 2013 Abstract: Advances in plant biotechnology provide new options for collection, multiplication and short- to long-term conservation of plant biodiversity, using in vitro culture techniques. Significant progress has been made for conserving endangered, rare, crop ornamental, medicinal and forest species, especially for non-orthodox seed and vegetatively propagated plants of temperate and tropical origin. Cell and tissue culture techniques ensure the rapid multiplication and production of plant material under aseptic conditions. Medium-term conservation by means of in vitro slow growth storage allows extending subcultures from several months to several years, depending on the species. Cryopreservation (liquid nitrogen, −196 °C) is the only technique ensuring the safe and cost-effective long-term conservation of a wide range of plant species.