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Abstract
The objective of this study was to develop a method to preserve tropical wood-inhabiting basidiomycetes in a viable state for an extended period. Storage in water, lyophilization, and cryopreservation methods of preserving tropical wood-inhabiting basiomycotina were compared. When tropical mycelial isolates were stored in sterile distilled water, 57% survived at 4 C for 2.5 mo; 92% of the isolates survived at 15 C for 10 mo. Bulbil-, clamydospore-, and conidium-forming fungi survived in cold water storage and maintained excellent viability for a decade. Vegetative hypha-, bulbil-, clamydospore-, and conidium-forming fungi survived cryopreservation using liquid nitrogen vapor. Only basidiomycetes that formed bulbils, chlamydospores, or conidia survived lyophilization. We conclude that the best method for long-term preservation of tropical fungi is cryopreservation by means of storage in liquid nitrogen vapor.