Conservation of reference strains of Fusarium in pure culture.

More than 300 reference strains representing 60 species and varieties of Fusarium cultures named according to different taxonomic systems are currently maintained at the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). They have been preserved by freeze-drying and by freezing and subsequent storage in liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C) to insure their viability without contamination, variation, mutation, or deterioration. The materials and procedures used at the ATCC for the acquisition, accessioning, cataloguing, preservation and distribution are described. Longevity storage data for the strains available for distribution are presented and discussed.