In vitro conservation of crop germplasm and the IBPGR databases

Abstract

The availability of a wide genepool is a prerequisite for crop improvement and the material involved is usually conserved in collections. The genetic resources of most crops can be conserved as seed but some vegetatively propagated crops and those that produce recalcitrant seeds cannot. In vitro (tissue culture) storage methods including cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen are being developed to conserve such problem materials in a complementary way to the maintenance of whole plants in the field. To aid the effective utilization of plant genetic resources, it is essential that as much associated information as possible be available to potential users — the plant breeders. The International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) has taken the lead in genetic conservation work including related areas of information management. A significant example is the promotion of in vitro conservation. The IBPGR's In Vitro Programme includes the establishment of databases holding data on technological developments. An international survey of the in vitro research community is conducted by questionnaire every two years. Data are gathered on the crop under investigation, field of interest, propagation method, problem areas, characterization, disease indexing, exchange of cultures, and storage of material under normal or slow growth conditions or by cryopreservation. The survey returns are computerized into databases that are available for consultation by request. Such databases have been compiled for in vitro research carried out in 1980, 1983 and 1985. The 1985 database, for example, covers the work of 589 scientists who contributed information on 654 different species. The most recent phase of the project involved the circulation of a new questionnaire to approximately 2,500 scientists in over 70 countries. All databases are available for search requests.