Chapter 13 Summarised diversity—the Barley Core Collection

Abstract

Genebank collections throughout the world comprise about 6.1 million accessions. The largest collection is of wheat, with barley occupying second place. The FAO estimated that about 4,85,000 barley accessions exist in ex situ germplasm collections such as genebanks, breeders' and research collections. The International Barley Core Collection (BCC) has been developed since 1989 by an international consortium as a voluntary activity of the participating institutions. It attempts to create a common set of barley genotypes for use mainly in research, allowing the compilation of a large set of data on the genetic diversity in barley. This chapter describes the background of the BCC, its history, concepts, the network of collaborating institutions and individuals, and presents an account of the current composition,management and documentation aspects, and first results of its implementation and utilization in research.