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Ex situ Conservation of Fungi: A Review

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Book cover Developments in Fungal Biology and Applied Mycology

Abstract

Present chapter deals with conservation of fungi which are considered as essential genetic material for advancement in fungal biodiversity, biology and biotechnology research and development, beyond depletion of natural resources. Loss of natural resources causes social and ecological impacts, therefore, need sound strategies of long-term preservation and maintenance, which has become a topic of great concern to almost all the countries possessing rich fungal diversity for their utilization on sustained basis and help in generating knowledge-based bio-economy. Subsequent to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which came into force in 1993, many member countries have acted in conformity with the spirit of the CBD by respecting biological habitats and the rights of indigenous people. Considering fungi are also threatened by climate change, habitat destruction, invasion, pollution, over-exploitation, etc., their conservation has been recognized as important as animal and plants, and convention has emphasized member countries to pay serious attention to conservation and documentation of fungi. It is for these reasons various short and long-term conventional and non-conventional methods, protocols for set up and culture recovery are provided. In addition, important tips are provided regarding care to be taken while applying a particular protocol for preserving and maintaining target fungi.

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Acknowledgements

Author thanks Director, MACS’ Agharkar Research Institute, for providing all laboratory facilities, and acknowledge Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, New Delhi, for providing financial support for setting up National Facility for Culture Collection of Fungi, at Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Fungal Culture Collection of India, Biodiversity and Palaeobiology Group, MACS’ Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune, 411004, India

    Sanjay K. Singh

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  1. Sanjay K. Singh
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Correspondence to Sanjay K. Singh .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Sciences and Engineering, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (University of Delhi), New Delhi, India

    Tulasi Satyanarayana

  2. TERI-Deakin Nano-Biotechnology Centre, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India

    Sunil K. Deshmukh

  3. Department of Biotechnology, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

    B.N. Johri

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Singh, S.K. (2017). Ex situ Conservation of Fungi: A Review. In: Satyanarayana, T., Deshmukh, S., Johri, B. (eds) Developments in Fungal Biology and Applied Mycology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4768-8_27

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