Who is sowing our seeds? A systematic review of the use of plant genetic resources in research

Abstract

Collections of plant genetic resources managed by genebanks function to conserve the range of genetic diversity present in crop genepools. They can facilitate access to valuable allelic variation for both plant breeders and researchers who are able to request germplasm for use in crop improvement and both basic and applied scientific research. The direct impact of genebank collections is often unclear as downstream uses of germplasm samples may not be reported back to the genebank of origin. This study aims to systematically review scientific use of germplasm using the UK Vegetable Genebank (UKVGB) as a model. Between the years of 1980-2016, a total of 271 publications were identified as using UKVGB material. The frequency of publications and the international nature of use increased significantly over the time period studied. Accessions directly sourced from the UKVGB made up the majority of material used by researchers, but material from research-derived resources such as differential sets and core collections or diversity sets have also been used. Resistance to pests and diseases and genetic diversity were the main topics of study although germplasm was used to address a wide range of other research questions. Genebanks such as UKVGB provide an essential resource of allelic diversity in crop genepools which supports a diverse range of research projects. The utilisation of these plant genetic resources has increased over time, contributing to a substantial number of publications. Developments in sequencing technologies have no doubt played a part as larger numbers of accessions can be utilized in a single experiment, but the increase also no doubt reflects a greater interest in the use of allelic diversity to overcome challenges in crop improvement and research.

Genotype Heterogeneity in Accessions of a Winter Barley Core Collection Assessed on Postulated Specific Powdery Mildew Resistance Genes

“…In gene banks, the resistance of accessions to pathogens is assessed during their multiplication in the field [34,35]. As has been shown here, most accessions are heterogeneous with different resistance of individual components (genotypes).…”

The USDA cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) collection: genetic diversity, population structure, genome-wide association studies, and core collection development

“…Collections are typically made from locations throughout the globe, with particular emphasis on centers of crop diversity. The importance of such collections as a critical first step to conserve biological variation, especially in light of genetic erosion resulting from habitat loss, adoption of modern varieties, and climate change, is increasingly recognized as a critical global good, both in scientific and broader public spheres 2 , 3 . While creation and maintenance of these valuable collections is essential, questions arise as to how to catalog, unlock, manage, and preserve the valuable diversity they contain.…”

Interspecific Hybridization for Brassica Crop Improvement

“…Brassica rapa includes the turnips, turnip greens, and turnip tops; and B. napus appears only in the form known as "nabicol" or leaf rape [194]. The United Kingdom Vegetable Genebank (UKVGB) managed by the University of Warwick conserves approximately 14,000 accessions of crops including Brassica types [195]. Brassica genetic resources hosted at the UKVGB have been incorporated into several germplasm panels, including (amongst others) the European clubroot differential series (ECD) to help identify races of the clubroot-causing pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae [196], Brassica S allele (self-incompatibility) collections [195] which comprise Brassica lines with characterized S-allele haplotypes, and other collections of B. oleracea and B. napus fixed diversity sets (homozygous doubled-haploid (DH) or inbred lines) [197].…”