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Abstract: Since the first report on the cryogenic preservation of mycelial cultures of Agaricus bisporus (San Antonio, 1970), it has been shown that liquid nitrogen storage is a reliable means for preserving mushroom stock cultures for periods up to 26 months (Hwang, San Antonio, 1972; Kneebone, 1974). Many other genera of fungi have been found to remain viable by cryogenic preservation for 9 years (Hwang, Kwolek and Haynes, 1976). At present, most commercial spawnmakers who use cryogenic preservation use it as a form of insurance againt loss of valuable master stock cultures. In mushroom research programs, the procedure is useful in selection of germplasm and mushroom breeding experiments. The primary purpose of this report is to evaluate the growth and fruit production of cultures of A. bisporus stored for 9 years in liquid nitrogen. In addition, the mushroom germplasm collection at Beltsville is described to illustrate the use of cryogenic storage in developing a mushroom breeding program. Some advantages and disadvantages of this method are considered and its future use is discussed.
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