Trends in ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources: a review of global crop and regional conservation strategies

Abstract

In 2005, the newly established Global Crop Diversity Trust initiated a consultation process leading to the development of over 30 global crop and regional strategies for the ex situ conservation and utilisation of crop diversity. These strategies represent a major undertaking the field of plant genetic resources, mobilizing experts to collaboratively plan for the more efficient and effective conservation and use of crop diversity. The strategies are reviewed for eight themes: regeneration, crop wild relatives, collecting, crop descriptors, information systems, user priorities, new technologies and research, and challenges to building a strategy for rational conservation. The themes shed light upon the status, constraints, and promising directions regarding ex situ conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources globally, and provide insight into the current challenges to planning for an efficient and effective global system. The primary constraints affecting conservation, use, and planning are the quality and availability of accession-level information, and availability of resources for regeneration, collecting, and research. A series of connected organizations working at the global level are addressing some of the major constraints in regeneration, collecting, information systems, descriptors, user involvement, and new technology development, although certain crops and regions will need additional support beyond the activities currently funded, particularly in collecting and in the development of specific conservation technologies. Achieving an efficient and effective global system will depend on active support by stakeholders, and will be aided by continuing to develop the strategies and by supporting the strategies' recommendations for efficient and effective practices in plant genetic resources.

The Contribution of Professor Gian Tommasso Scarascia Mugnozza to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity

“…Prior to this, the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources (IUPGR), which was adopted in 1983, was the first and main international instrument addressing the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA. This was then revised in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which entered into force in 1992 [15]. However, it was not comprehensive and legally binding enough to address the needs highlighted in the Madras Declaration.…”

Characterization of sweet potato accessions in Malawi using morphological markers and farmers indigenous knowledge system (IKS)

“…Thus establishment of levels of phenotypic or morphological variations and detection of variants and possible duplicates is irreplaceable for genetic improvement and conservation of sweet potato (Lin et al, 2007). Morpho-agronomic characterization enables efficient utilization of germplasm collections in breeding programs by provision of links between genetic relationships and specific traits of agronomic importance, including tuber yield and yield components (Khoury et al, 2010;Elameen et al, 2011;Laurie et al, 2013;Mohammed et al, 2015). Owing to relative ease of study and inexpensiveness, morphological characters have been variously used to characterize and differentiate sweet potato accessions, assess comparative reaction and susceptibility to pests, diseases and other stresses etc.…”

Genomic and transcriptomic approaches towards the genetic improvement of an underutilised crops: The case of Bambara groundnut

“…The Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and Global Diversity Crops Trust are organisations whose focus is to develop a sustainability plan in order to ensure germplasm conservation and availability of underutilised crops, as a means to increase crop diversity (Khoury et al, 2010;Anon n.d.). Conserving the genetic resources of underutilised crops exemplified by bambara groundnut, is essential as these crops are sources of livelihood in rural poor communities and its cultivation has a positive impact on farmer welfare (William et al, 2016).…”