Abstract
UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 Target 2.5 focuses on the conservation of genetic diversity in soundly managed genebanks. In examining the term “soundly managed”, it becomes quickly evident that there is much more to long-term conservation than placing samples of seeds or other germplasm in long-term conservation conditions. There are several important factors that determine whether germplasm samples will remain viable in storage for long periods of time. To manage these factors efficiently and effectively, genebanks require sound data and quality management systems. The CGIAR Genebank Platform, coordinated by the Crop Trust, put in place a number of mechanisms that enabled effective online reporting, performance management, quality management, audit and external review and validation. These mechanisms do not conform to the usual monitoring systems put in place for research programs and have only been possible thanks to the flexibility of CGIAR in recognising that the genebanks were exceptional. As a result, in the past 10 years, CGIAR genebanks have significantly improved their performance and the conservation status of collections.
Highlights
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
CGIAR genebanks act as a major source of international germplasm exchange and, together with CGIAR breeding programs, were responsible for close to 90% of the reported distributions under the Plant Treaty [5]
We describe the challenges that lie behind long-term conservation objectives and the need for serious investments to meet such a commitment, perhaps more than many actors anticipated at the time of collecting seeds and putting them in storage
Summary
The effective conservation of seed germplasm samples with the aim of maintaining genetic integrity involves the complex interaction of various factors, including biological characteristics intrinsic to the species, the quality of the seeds and the conditions of the seeds’ storage [10,11,13]. Data on post-harvest treatments, initial viability and the detailed procedures followed at the time of germplasm processing and storage are basic pieces of information required to manage a seed lot in the long-term. Cold rooms may have a service life of up to 50–60 years but other critical equipment such as door seals, cooling systems, incubators, driers, and temperature controls have a shorter service life and require maintenance, replacement and backup on a regular basis These four factors apply to all genebanks, but the long-term conservation of ‘nonseed’ collections is yet more challenging. Field collections are notoriously difficult to maintain over many decades because actively growing accessions need repeated monitoring and intervention throughout the year and, in many cases, yearly planting and harvesting to ensure the continued health of the plants and to manage the effects of weather events and pests and diseases [9]. A globally coordinated initiative to build capacity would help to secure such collections on a long-term basis [23]
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