EN
In 1994 the Collection of Plant Pathogens was established at the Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute in Poznan. It is main objectives are: broadening the collection of plant pathogens and developing maintenance and conservation methods of fungi, bacteria and viruses. During the first two years the collection consisted of 254 and 280 pathogenic cultures, respectively. In 2010, the collection amounted to 145 bacteria cultures (32 spp.) and 1471 (212 spp.) pathogenic fungi. Each year new species or the same species originated from new host – plants and/or from new climatic districts are included to the collection. The collection also includes 350 cultures from abroad. Taking into account the broad species diversity of the collection, several methods of conservation are applied – pathogens are maintained at low oxygen level or frieze-dried, or kept frozen at –78°C and –196°C. Application of different methods allows to maintain pathogenic microorganism viability longer and keep them in a good physiological condition. The Collection of Plant Pathogens provides a valuable source of genes for genetic studies.