Cryopreservation of dormant buds offers a reliable and cost-effective method for the long-term preservation of plant genetic resources, particularly for woody plants like raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.). This study aimed to develop an optimized protocol for the cryopreservation of dormant raspberry buds by investigating the role of dehydration and freezing conditions in maintaining bud viability. Dormant canes of two raspberry varieties, 'Sanibelle' and 'Willamette', were collected and prepared by dehydrating single-node cane segments at -4 °C until the desired water content was achieved. The study focused on assessing the impact of dehydration on bud viability and the physical state of water within the buds, using differential scanning calorimetry to analyse thermal transitions during cooling and heating. The cryopreservation process followed a two-step freezing protocol, with the first step involving slow cooling to -30 °C, followed by rapid immersion in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C). After cryopreservation, buds were thawed either slowly at +4 °C or rapidly at +38 °C, with rehydration taking place over 14 days. The study found that the most effective preservation (74-86 % of buds) occurred when the buds were dehydrated to 22-23 % humidity and had a water activity of 0.83-0.85. Rapid thawing significantly improved bud survival, especially for moderately dehydrated buds (with water content 25-35 %), while recrystallization during slow thawing was associated with lower viability. The results highlight the complexity of cryopreservation protocols, where factors such as dehydration levels, cooling and thawing rates, and bud dormancy status play crucial roles in ensuring successful long-term storage.

The long-term conservation of Prunus persica (peach), a crop of significant agronomic and genetic value, remains challenging due to its recalcitrance to conventional cryopreservation methods. Low tolerance to dehydration and cryoprotectant toxicity often results in poor survival and regrowth, thereby limiting the reliability of germplasm storage. This study evaluated whether combining an alginate hydrogel matrix with Pluronic F-68 improves vitrification efficiency and post-thaw regeneration of peach shoot tips by enhancing dehydration dynamics and reducing cryo-injury. Shoot tips were immobilized in thin sodium alginate layers on aluminum foil strips, with the hydrogel providing mechanical stabilization and moderating water loss during exposure to PVS3 and subsequent liquid nitrogen immersion. To further mitigate cryoinjury, Pluronic F-68, a non-ionic surfactant with membrane-stabilizing properties, was incorporated into the system. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the hydrogel reached complete vitrification after 120 min in PVS3, whereas encapsulated shoot tips required 150 min for full suppression of crystallization. The optimized system achieved 71% post-cryopreservation survival and 40% regrowth, compared with 25% and 9% in non-encapsulated controls. PF-68 accelerated vitrification kinetics, lowered crystallization enthalpies, and improved post-thaw viability. These findings demonstrate that engineered hydrogel–surfactant matrices can stabilize the microenvironment during vitrification and offer a promising approach for the long-term cryopreservation of peach germplasm.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is widely cultivated for its culinary and medicinal value but is highly susceptible to fungal diseases, particularly those caused by Fusarium species. This study evaluated the antifungal activity of lipid fractions from seven medicinal plants against Fusarium isolates obtained from infected garlic cloves. The lipid fractions were added to PDA medium and fungal growth was monitored over nine days. The lipid fractions of Eucalyptus mellidora and Salvia officinalis significantly reduced mycelial growth of both isolates compared to the control, suggesting strong antifungal potential. Other oils exhibited moderate or low activity. These findings support the potential use of selected plant-derived lipid fractions as natural fungicides in garlic protection. Further research is needed to validate efficacy under field conditions.