This work summarizes the scientific contribution from Cuba to the development of technologies for the safe and long term preservation of vegetable germplasm of tropical origin. The activities of research, specialized training and scientific-technichal services which have made possible that our country occupies an advanced international position are gathered. Cryopreserving consists on the storage to ultra low temperatures, preferably to the liquid nitrogen's t (-196 °C). At the moment, it constitutes the only feasible method to preserve per theoretically limitless periods the biological interest material. The cryopreserved samples are kept in the reduced space of thermos and they are exempt of the climatic, biological and geographical inconveniences of natural habitat.

Methodologies are defined in order to cryopreservate some in vitro cultivable forms (apexes, embryogenic corns and meristematic shoots) in 5 cultivations of economic, alimentary and biotechnologic importance, such as sugar cane, plane tree, coffe, pineapple and citruses. The methods developed for sugar cane, pineapple and citruses apexes are the first reports at international level.

The successful execution of 6 collaboration projects with FAO (2) and IPGRI (4) (Plant Genetic Resources Institute) which promoted these results, have taken to the country more than 200 000 USD; have favored the publication of many articles in Cryo-Letters magazine, the most prestigious in this subject, 3 chapters have been written in international books and they have also favored the presentation in important scientific events. The have also contributed to the training of national specialists (8) and others from Latin American countries (13), through courses, training sessions and technical services that place us as international reference center.