Regeneration of accessions in seed collection : a decision guide / by N.R. Sackville Hamilton and K.H. Chorlton

Includes tables

Includes bibliographical references

Ex situ conservation is vital for ensuring safety the long-term sa and continued availability of plant genetic resources for use by scientists and farmers in their collective efforts to achieve global food security. The storage of dry seed at low temperature is the most widely practised method of ex situ conservation. Seed genebanks worldwide share at least two essential objectives, i.e.

ensuring long-term conservation of the genetic diversity represented in the seed collections they hold, and maintaining an adequate stock of seed for distribution to users. The periodic regeneration of the seed accessions is necessary to maintain optimal seed viability over the long term as well to replenish the seed stock.

To conduct sound regeneration practices, species-specific and general information such as knowledge about the reproductive biology and the extent and distribution of the genetic diversity of the material to be conserved is needed. In addition, it is necessary to minimize genetic drift and genetic shift which might occur during the regeneration process. The mechanisms underlying these phenomena and their potential effects need to be quantified and methods developed to mitigate them. The effect of seedborne pathogens on the maintenance of genetic integrity of accessions is another, related aspect that requires further investigation. In the case of cross-pollinated species, questions remain regarding the most effective isolation techniques, pollination control procedures and mating methods.