Evaluation of different storage methods for rapid and costeffective preservation of <i>Botryosphaeria</i> species

Abstract

Four Botryosphaeria species isolated from grapevine namely Diplodia seriata (teleomorph B obtusa) Diplodia mutila (teleomorph B stevensii) Neofusicoccum parvum (syn B parva) and Neofusicoccum luteum (syn B lutea) were stored using 11 different methods Duplicate isolates were stored for 1 3 and 6 months as myceliumcolonised agar plugs and pycnidia in sterile water mineral oil 20 glycerol or potato dextrose agar (PDA) at room temperature (RT) 4C or 80C The viability of the four Botryosphaeria species was similar (81100) for all storage methods apart from pycnidia on pine needles at RT (68) but their overall growth rates differed between the storage methods (P<0001) and storage times (P<0001) Of the methods tested mycelium plugs stored in sterile water at 4C or in glycerol at 80C retained highest growth rates