Abstract
The conservation of crop genetic resources, including their wild relatives, is of utmost importance for the future of mankind. Most crops produce orthodox seeds and can, therefore, be stored in seed genebanks. However, this is not an option for crops and species that produce recalcitrant (non-storable) seeds such as cacao, coffee and avocado, for crops that do not produce seeds at all; therefore, they are inevitably vegetatively propagated such as bananas, or crops that are predominantly clonally propagated as their seeds are not true to type, such as potato, cassava and many fruit trees. Field, in vitro and cryopreserved collections provide an alternative in such cases. In this paper, an overview is given on how to manage and setup a field, in vitro and cryopreserved collections, as well as advantages and associated problems taking into account the practical, financial and safety issues in the long-term. In addition, the need for identification of unique accessions and elimination of duplicates is discussed. The different conservation methods are illustrated with practical examples and experiences from national and international genebanks. Finally, the importance of establishing safe and long-term conservation methods and associated backup possibilities is highlighted in the frame of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Highlights
In the course of crop domestication, many plants have been selected for quantity and/or quality of their seed, while some have been cultivated for their roots, tubers, fruits, stems and leaves
For example, extended periods in Medium Term Storage (MTS) can be achieved by different protocols which either apply Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, sucrose and the growth retardant ancymidol at 6 ◦ C resulting in storage periods of 12 months [50]; MS and mannitol at 6 ◦ C for storage periods of 16 months [51] or MS, sucrose, mannitol at 6 ◦ C for storage periods of 30 months [52]
The number of crops or plants species that can be cryopreserved through dormant bud cryopreservation is limited since two requirements must be met: (i) the species produces buds that go into a dormant phase, usually induced in winter by a prolonged period of low temperature and/or photoperiod [88], before being prepared for cryostorage, and (ii) buds recovered from cryopreservation should respond to bud grafting
Summary
In the course of crop domestication, many plants have been selected for quantity and/or quality of their seed, while some have been cultivated for their roots, tubers, fruits, stems and leaves. Other species that produce orthodox seeds but require the conservation of particular gene combinations or genotypes, such as root and tuber crops, notably potato (Solanum tuberosum), cassava (Manihot esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.), taro (Colocasia esculenta) and several fruit and nut trees are included. These crops are propagated vegetatively, and each genotype needs to be maintained as a clone.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
