Ex-situ Collections Research Articles

Diversity and Relationships among Neglected Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Landraces Using Morphological Traits and SSR Markers: Implications for Agro-Biodiversity Conservation.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is an economically important tree species globally cultivated in temperate areas. Italy has an ample number of traditional varieties, but numerous landraces are abandoned and at risk of extinction because of increasing urbanization, agricultural intensification, and varietal renewal. In this work, we investigated the morphological and genetic diversity present in an ex-situ collection of 28 neglected varieties belonging to the so-called “Vesuvian apricot”. Our aim was to understand the level of diversity and the possible link between the promotion of specific fruit types (e.g., by public policies) and the intraspecific variation in apricot. The combination of five continuous and seven categorical traits allowed us to phenotypically distinguish the varieties; while fruit quality-related attributes displayed high variation, both apricot size and skin colour were more uniform. The twelve fluorescent-based Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) markers identified cultivar-specific molecular profiles and revealed a high molecular diversity, which poorly correlated with that described by the morphological analysis. Our results highlighted the complementary information provided by the two sets of descriptors and that DNA markers are necessary to separate morphologically related apricot landraces. The observed morphological and genetic differences suggest a loss of diversity influenced by maintenance breeding of specific pomological traits (e.g., skin colour and size). Finally, our study provided evidence to recommend complementary strategies to avoid the loss of diversity in apricot. Actions should pivot on both the promotion of easily identified premium products and more inclusive biodiversity-centred on-farm strategies.

Fig seeds: Combined approach of lipochemical assessment using gas chromatography and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy using chemometrics

Fig (Ficus carica L.) seeds are the less studied part of the species so far. They are usually discarded after their processing and scarcely studied for nutraceutical purposes. For this reason, the present work reports the lipochemical properties of fig seeds extracted from four fig cultivars conducted in an ex-situ collection. Oil was chemically extracted and screened using gas chromatography and FTIR-ATR coupled with chemometrics. Results, showed an important oil yield reaching up to 30 %, with a high UV absorbency values at 232 and 270 nm, suggesting the occurrence of hydrolytic reactions during the oil extraction. Iodine and saponification values were also high and displayed narrow ranges of variations (76.43 ± 0.067 g/100 g of oil and 201.6 ± 0.012, respectively). Chromatographic profile showed a high unsaturation rate up to 88 %, with a predominance of linolenic fatty acid, which ranged between 38.43 and 43.57 %. In order to avoid pollination effect, desaturation pathway ratios were calculated along with the balance between omega-6 and omega-3. These ratios showed statistically significant differences among samples and were in the range recommended for healthier diet. FTIR-ATR fingerprinting showed several spectral bands assigned to functional groups present in fig seed oil. Among them, two major peaks were identified around the fingerprint regions of 1650–1474 cm−1 and 3010–2924 cm−1 assigned to aliphatic groups and carbonyl groups belonging to the triacylglycerols, respectively. Data of both chromatographic profile and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy were involved in principal component analysis models, that showed high throughput resolution of discrimination and classification of samples studied. The findings herein reported, suggest the potential of fig seeds oil application in food and nutraceuticals. Besides, the use FTIR-ATR spectroscopy in fruit seeds screening and discrimination could be a better alternative to traditional analysis techniques.

The past, present and future of hormonal contraceptive use in managed captive female tiger populations with a focus on the current use of deslorelin acetate.

Tigers (Panthera tigris spp.) are endangered in the wild; ensuring sustainable insurance populations requires careful planning within zoological collections. In captive situations, contraceptives are often used to control breeding and ensure genetically viable populations that contain manageable numbers of animals; reversible contraceptives are ideal because they offer flexibility for breeding management. Historically, synthetic progestins, such as melengestrol acetate implants, were used in female tigers, but these are associated with an increased risk of reproductive pathology and subsequent infertility. Recent management advice to ex-situ collections has been to transition to the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, such as deslorelin acetate implants, which do not appear to have a similar risk of reproductive pathology but are associated with highly variable reversal times in exotic felids. Using data from 917 contraceptive records in female tigers captured by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Reproductive Management Center and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Reproductive Management Group's joint Contraception Database and from supplementary surveys, this study reviews the changing use of contraceptives in captive female tigers. The aim was to describe the historical and current use of contraceptives and provide a comprehensive assessment on the use of deslorelin implants, including data on product protocols, efficacy, pathology, and reversibility. This study determined that current dose, frequency, reversibility, and anatomical placement sites of deslorelin implants are highly variable, indicating that specific, readily available, unified, evidence-based recommendations on the use of deslorelin would be useful for future contraceptive use in managed tiger populations.

Genetic Structure and Core Collection of Olive Germplasm from Albania Revealed by Microsatellite Markers.

Olive is considered one of the oldest and the most important cultivated fruit trees in Albania. In the present study, the genetic diversity and structure of Albanian olive germplasm is represented by a set of 194 olive genotypes collected in-situ in their natural ecosystems and in the ex-situ collection. The study was conducted using 26 microsatellite markers (14 genomic SSR and 12 Expressed Sequence Tag microsatellites). The identity analysis revealed 183 unique genotypes. Genetic distance-based and model-based Bayesian analyses were used to investigate the genetic diversity, relatedness, and the partitioning of the genetic variability among the Albanian olive germplasm. The genetic distance-based analysis grouped olives into 12 clusters, with an average similarity of 50.9%. Albanian native olives clustered in one main group separated from introduced foreign cultivars, which was also supported by Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and model-based methods. A core collection of 57 genotypes representing all allelic richness found in Albanian germplasm was developed for the first time. Herein, we report the first extended genetic characterization and structure of olive germplasm in Albania. The findings suggest that Albanian olive germplasm is a unique gene pool and provides an interesting genetic basis for breeding programs.

Molecular Diversity of Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Among Two Major Areas in Morocco in Contrast with Foreign Varieties

ABSTRACT In Morocco, walnut tree (Juglans regia L.) cultivation is ancestral with complicated misidentification and unknown local genetic diversity. Atlas Mountains host a rich walnut tree germplasm, which has arisen from seedlings. The use of molecular markers makes it possible to overcomes confusion usually encountered in phenotypic characterization, thereby elucidating the real genetic diversity magnitude. This study aimed to investigate the genetic relationships among 33 local walnut trees grown in two contrasted agroecosystems, while comparing them with 8 Bulgarian varieties belonging to an ex-situ collection, using ISSR markers. The use of 13 primers generated 120 reproducible ISSR markers, with 7 to 13 bands and an average of nine bands per primer. This number reflected the high level of polymorphism between genotypes revealed by the selected primers. The average polymorphism rate was 75.2%, with the polymorphic information content varying from 0.212 to 0.370 and with an average of 0.32. Genetic distances and the pairwise comparison showed that all pairs of genotypes are distinct using more than 10 markers with a maximum of 50 bands. The dendrogram showed an obvious phylo-geographic structuring and the differentiation of genotypes by origin area. The Bulgarian cultivars form distinct groups that confirms the specificity of the Moroccan walnut gene pool. However, the dendrogram obtained showed that the Moroccan genotypes are genetically close to a certain number of Bulgarian genotypes. This indicates that some Moroccan genotypes and the Bulgarian varieties could have a common ancestor.

Haplotype network analysis of wild banana relatives Ensete glaucum, Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana based on cpDNA rbcL sequences in ex-situ collection

Conservation and genetic assessment of wild banana relatives is important for future breeding purposes. Haplotype network analysis was conducted to wild banana relatives comprised Ensete glaucum, Musa acuminata and Musa balbisianausing rbcL gene sequences. Sequences characterization showed high conservation level (91%), low indels (1.83%), and low parsimony informatives (3.51%). However, it was powerfull to separate the dataset at families, genera and species level; and moderately to separate at intraspecies level of wild bananas. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity of wild bananas were high. At intraspecies level, both M. acuminata and M. balbisiana showed high haplotype diversity but low nucelotide diversity among haplotypes; M. acuminata has higher value than M. balbisiana. No haplotype and nucleotide diversity in E. glaucum. Wild bananas were separated into seven haplotypes, with four haplogroups. Mutational pathway revealed that E. glaucum haplotype became root; and was closely related to M. balbisiana than M. acuminata. M. acuminata var. malaccensis haplotype became root within all M. acuminata varieties, and each haplotype differed by single point mutation.

Evaluating the quantitative and qualitative contribution of zoos and aquaria to peer-reviewed science

The EU Council Directive relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos as well as major global and regional zoo associations call upon zoos and aquaria to actively support biodiversity conservation and research. However, assessments of such contribution remain scarce to date. We therefore evaluated for the first time the quantitative research productivity of the 71 members of the Association of Zoological Gardens (Verband der Zoologischen Garten) and its qualitative impact. Between 2008 and 2018 VdZ members contributed to 1.058 peer-reviewed and mostly ISI Web of Science (WoS)-listed publications, either as (co-)authors or by supplying data or bio samples deriving from their respective ex-situ animal collections. The publications resulted in 8.991 citations and appeared in 284 mostly not zoo-related journals with publication trends increasing over time. These findings plus the large range of subject areas and animal groups focused on hint towards a broad audience group reached and a high level impact. In summary we conclude that VdZ member zoos play an active and significant role to peer-reviewed science of which benefits might accrue for evidence-based ex-situ and in-situ conservation planning and management.

Assessing conservation efforts against threats to wild orchids in China

Orchids are of special interest to plant conservationists because of their high species diversity as well as their obligate dependencies on one or more biotic interactions, which often pose additional challenges in their conservation. In this study, we analyze threats to all known Chinese orchid species and evaluate whether current in situ and ex situ conservation efforts match these threats. Of the 1582 orchids included in this study, 653 (43.5%) were categorized as threatened (i.e., critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable), 191 (12.0%) were traded using wild-collected plants, 531 (33.6%) were Chinese endemics, 826 (52.2%) were found in one or more protected areas, 802 (50.7%) were in ex-situ collections, 136 (8.4%) had seeds in storage; and only 43 (2.7%) were subject to conservation translocation actions within China. Proportionally, more threatened species were protected in situ and ex situ than non-threatened species. However, the current version of the Chinese Redlist assessment assigned over harvesting as a threat factor to 15 Chinese orchids only (2.3%), a gross underestimation of this threat considering both the Chinese and international orchid markets. We propose establishing small nature reserves to protect wild orchid species that do not currently occur in any protected area, creating ex situ collection networks to strengthen conservation capacity (including institutions that are concerned with utilization only), and establishing a dynamic list of wild orchids in trade, along with trade volumes, to better-gauge conservation threats posed by wild harvest.

Assessment of genetic diversity of Brazilian and Mediterranean cactus cultivars by SSR markers and morphological traits

The objective of this research was to compare phenotypic and molecular-based methods in assessing genetic diversity of cactus pear from two ex-situ collections, located in the Mediterranean Basin and the northeast of Brazil. Fifty randomly selected accessions (30 accessions from IPA, Pernambuco, Brazil, and 20 accessions from INRA Agadir, Morocco) were subjected to phenotypic and molecular characterization. Phenotypic characterization was achieved using FAO Cactusnet descriptors, while the molecular characterization used the simple sequence repeats (SSR) technique and eight recently recommended primers. The phenotypic data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) using XLSTAT 2015 package. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) dendrogram based on Nei's genetic distance was used for molecular characterization, and the relationship between morphological and molecular traits was assessed by the Mantel test. SSR analysis revealed 72 alleles with an average allele number of nine per locus. All microsatellites used were found to be discriminative, with a mean polymorphic information content (PIC) estimated at 0.458. Genetic dissimilarities estimated between the accessions varied widely, suggesting that important genetic variability exists in the collection. All the markers used were either informative or highly informative and can be recommended to detect genetic diversity in Opuntia species; the most discriminant markers were Ops24 and Opuntia9, and the least discriminant was Opuntia5. The relationship between phenotypic traits and allele-based genetic distances from the SSR analysis was highly significant (r=0.4, p=0.01) and is here obtained for the first time while using SSR for molecular characterization. Consequently, the SSR technique is one of the best tools to assess the level of genetic diversity in Opuntia germplasm collections; it complements phenotypic characterization and is recommended for planning breeding programs and to revise the current taxonomic classification.

Molecular and Phenotypic Diversity of Traditional European Plum (Prunus domestica L.) Germplasm of Southern Italy

The European plum (Prunus domestica L.) is a worldwide distributed tree species. Italy has an ample number of traditional varieties, but many are neglected and at risk of extinction. This germplasm is still cultivated in rural areas in spite of the EU-28 crisis of the stone fruit sector. Traditional European plum varieties remain poorly characterized, strongly limiting their promotion in local markets, use for farm diversification, and exploitation for local gastronomic products. In this study, we carried out an investigation of the morphological and genetic diversity present in an ex-situ collection of 29 traditional varieties of P. domestica of the Campania region (Southern Italy). The combination of five continuous and five categorical fruit traits allowed us to phenotypically distinguish all the varieties. Similarly, the Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) employed (five genomic and five deriving from Expressed Sequence Tags) identified a unique molecular profile for each variety. Moreover, the data indicated that the phenotypic and molecular investigations provided different clustering, suggesting that the two analyses sampled different sources of diversity. The number and the distribution of the scored phenotypes as well as the indices of genetic diversity imply the presence of a wide-ranging variation, which may sustain the development of high-value, niche market products. Our work provided evidence that the implementation of measures for a combination of ex-situ and on-farm conservation of traditional European plum varieties should be preferred to avoid the loss of an ample diversity.

Morphological variability of prickly pear cultivars (Opuntia spp.) established in ex-situ collection in Tunisia

Belonging to the succulent plants’ family, the Cactaceae, Barbary fig tree (Opuntia ficus-indica) is an excellent arid-resistant species, implicated in erosion control. In Tunisia, the Barbary fig is one of the country's main fruit species, mainly used for its edible fruits. Thus, forty-eight ecotypes belonging to four species of Opuntia genus (Opuntia ficus-indica, Opuntia engelmannii, Opuntia tomentosa and Opuntia undulata), were collected from the INRAT collection in northern Tunisia. In order to conduct a morphological study aiming to estimate the morphologic variation degree, 63 phenotypic characteristics that comprised 30 quantitative and 33 qualitative traits recorded to Opuntia trees, cladodes, flowers and fruits were detected. Based on quantitative and qualitative parameters separately, results of dendrograms were consistent with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Multiple Correspondence analysis (MCA) results. These analyses showed that the four quantitative variables: (the mean number of seeds per fruit, the mean number of areolas per cladode, the mean number of areolas at the cladode border and fruit mean weight) and the three qualitative variables: (cladode shape, pulp color and fruit color) are the most discriminating parameters in differentiation between the four studied species. Indeed, dendrograms showed that studied ecotypes were classified independently of their geographical origins and corresponding species. In this study, fourteen quantitative parameters were revealed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). For the qualitative variables; Z test, Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-square analysis were performed and non-significant values were detected. In conclusion, our results revealed a very high level of morphological variability and a great similarity between O. ficus-indica and O. engelmannii that will be very useful for genetic breeding and conservation programs.

Sensory Acceptability of the Autochthonous Fruits of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Introduction and background: Autochthonous fruits in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) represent great opportunities for fruit breeding, because they could be grown without costly agricultural inputs and offer valuable assets for the fruit processing industry providing a specific and different sensory taste for the fruit products. Hence, the objective of this study was to sensory evaluate fruits from 34 autochthonous apple and 29 pear cultivars in 2012 and 2013 from an ex-situ collection in B&H by eight trained panelists, using Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA). Experimental: Flavour of fruits was described by the eight sensory attributes a) flavour: odour intensity, b) sweet, c) sour, d) green, fruit, e) floral flavour, f) typically, g) after taste and h) overall conception and subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to visualise the sensory attributes. Results: For apple, the traditional cvs. ‘Prijedorska Zelenika’, ‘Paradija’, ‘Srebrenicka’, ‘Bukovija’ and ‘Ljepocvijetka’ reached the best flavour scores in both years, while in pear, cvs. ‘Takisa’, ‘Hambarka’, ‘Dolokrahan’ and ‘Kacmorka’ exhibited the best flavour in both years, followed by cvs. ‘Begarika’, ‘Jeribasma’, ‘Ahmetova’ and ‘Hambarka’ with intense floral flavour and odour. In these tastings, B & H grown apple cv. ‘Golden Delicious’ also scored highly compared with cvs ‘Idared’, ‘Granny Smith’ and ‘Gala’ with a lesser characteristic apple flavour and pear cvs ‘Williams’ and ‘Sweet Harrow’ scored better than ‘Alexander Lukas’ and ‘Gellerts’ from B & H.

Genomic diversity and macroecology of the crop wild relatives of domesticated pea

There is growing interest in the conservation and utilization of crop wild relatives (CWR) in international food security policy and research. Legumes play an important role in human health, sustainable food production, global food security, and the resilience of current agricultural systems. Pea belongs to the ancient set of cultivated plants of the Near East domestication center and remains an important crop today. Based on genome-wide analysis, P. fulvum was identified as a well-supported species, while the diversity of wild P. sativum subsp. elatius was structured into 5 partly geographically positioned clusters. We explored the spatial and environmental patterns of two progenitor species of domesticated pea in the Mediterranean Basin and in the Fertile Crescent in relation to the past and current climate. This study revealed that isolation by distance does not explain the genetic structure of P. sativum subsp. elatius in its westward expansion from its center of origin. The genetic diversity of wild pea may be driven by Miocene-Pliocene events, while the phylogenetic diversity centers may reflect Pleisto-Holocene climatic changes. These findings help set research and discussion priorities and provide geographical and ecological information for germplasm-collecting missions, as well as for the preservation of extant diversity in ex-situ collections.

<p class="MsoTitle"><span lang="EN-GB">Magnolia montebelloensis</span><span lang="EN-GB">, a new species in section Magnolia from Lagunas de Montebello National Park, Chiapas, México, with a key to Magnoliaceae of Chiapas</span>

A new species of Magnolia, from the Lagunas de Montebello National Park, in the central highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, is described and illustrated. Magnolia montebelloensis belongs to section Magnolia; it differs from M. poasana in its smaller habit, densely pubescent terminal twig internodes, stipules and spathaceous bracts, shorter peduncular internodes and more numerous stamens. A key, an ecological and a conservation assessment of the eight Chiapan species of Magnoliaceae are included. Magnolia montebelloensis grows in montane rain forest and is contrasted with other Chiapan Magnolia species regarding their climate and vegetation preferences. It was assessed as critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN B1ab(ii, iii) and B2ab(iii) criteria. Half of Magnolia species in Chiapas occur in protected natural areas, and thus immediate action is required to protect the other four species, M. faustinomirandae, M. mayae, M. sharpii and M. zamudioi. Seven out of the eight Magnolia species (88%) are not found in ex-situ collections despite being endangered or critically endangered.

Evaluation of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) collections

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is a well-known medicinal and aromatic plant and of increasing importance resulting in rising growth area in Germany. Because of its proven sedative, spasmolytic and antiviral effects, it is often used in watery or alcoholic extracts for self-medication or pharmaceutical and medical purposes. This therapeutic effect is due to the content of essential oil and phenolic carbon acids, like rosmarinic acid. Improved knowledge on the genome structure, number of chromosomes in connection with the taxonomical structure of balm is indispensable for improved new varieties. A set of 120 balm accessions was evaluated for the variability of essential oil content and composition as well as the content of rosmarinic acid. These accessions came from the Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture at Freising, Germany (LfL), the federal ex-situ collection of agricultural and horticultural plants of the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research at Gatersleben, Germany (IPK) and the N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry at St. Petersburg, Russia (VIR). Out of these 120 accessions 40 balm accessions (M. officinalis) were characterized by flow cytometry and FISH (18/25S and 5S rDNA) to determine the chromosome number and ploidy level. Three different types were found: diploid genotypes with 2n = 2× = 32 chromosomes; tetraploid 2n = 4× = 64 chromosomes and triploid 2n = 3× = 48 chromosomes. Therefore a haploid base number of × = 16 chromosomes is likely. For the first time triploid accessions are described, which were sterile but cytologically and morphologically stable for many years. Triploids express better winter hardiness and regeneration after harvesting cuts as well as bigger leaves and internodes. We characterized three chemotypes (ct.) of essential oil: ct. citral, ct. germacrene D and ct. β-caryophyllene oxide. In addition autotetraploid material from diploid ct. citral was developed for this characterization and belongs also to ct. citral.

Genetic diversity and clonal variation within the main Sicilian olive cultivars based on morphological traits and microsatellite markers

The richness of Olea europaea (L.) genetic resources in Sicily is well documented. In the last 30 years, most of the local cultivars, landraces and ecotypes have been gathered together in a large ex-situ collection, containing more than 300 genotypes. In this study, 45 putative clones of the main Sicilian olive cultivars were characterized morphologically using microsatellite markers to unambiguously identify possible superior genotypes. The microsatellites employed were polymorphic (observed heterozygosity=0.71; polymorphic information content=0.59), discriminated 52% of the genotypes and enabled the detection of intra-cultivar polymorphism, derived from both somatic mutations, indicating the presence of polyclonal cultivars, or from gametic origin, thus suggesting the presence of cultivar-populations. A high level of genetic variability was detected within the ‘Biancolilla’, ‘Giarraffa’ and ‘Moresca’ genotypes, whereas low variation was found within the ‘Cerasuola’ and ‘Tonda Iblea’ genotypes. The combination of UPGMA cluster analysis of data obtained from microsatellite analysis, with canonical discriminant analysis (CDA), based on 18 morphological variables, measured under the same conditions, enabled intra-cultivar diversity, attributable to genetic factors rather than to environmental ones to be identified. The goodness of fit between microsatellite profiles and the CDA analysis was significantly supported by the Mantel test (r=0.3; p<0.001). Genotypes and clonal variants with superior traits (larger fruit size; compact tree habit, apt for high density planting; higher oleic acid content) were identified, suitable for enlarging their area of cultivation.

Clonal structure and dynamics of peripheral Populus tremula L. populations

Abstract: Native Populus tremula L. populations at the south-western limit of the species’ range are threatened by the anthropic reduction of their habitats and by climate change. In these areas, P. tremula forms small and multiclonal populations. Knowledge of the structures and dynamics of these populations is essential to design effective conservation programs. The clonal spatial and ramet age distributions of three natural populations in north-western Spain were studied. Trees with diameter > 3 cm at breast height were mapped and their age identified. Multilocus genotypes based on 11 isoenzymatic loci were obtained for a sample of 90-106 evenly distributed trees per population. Clonal assignment of the remaining trees in each stand was interpolated using geostatistical methods. All three stands were multiclonal, with higher clonal diversity than that reported in northern populations, and no genotype was detected in more than one stand. Most clones exhibited aggregated distributions, but some scattered clones were also found. The clonal structures of the stands are consistent with the hypothesis that recruitment is absent inside the stand. A combined analysis of ages and genotypes revealed cycles of regrowth in which each clone experienced varying degrees of success in generating new ramets. These degrees of success could be the consequence of varying abilities for vegetative propagation among genotypes. Geostatistical interpolation can be a useful tool for the elaboration of clonal maps, thus reducing the costs of sampling and genotyping, but further research is needed to define the optimum scale of sampling for accurate clonal assignment. For P. tremula conservation programs based on clonal material, small plantations with relatively few clones (approximately 10) provide an appropriate strategy if the metapopulation is maintained at a sufficient level of diversity. The set of clones used for plantations and ex-situ collections should consider both the most abundant and the least frequent clones to avoid a biased selection.

Global Ex-Situ Crop Diversity Conservation and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Assessing the Current Status

Ex-situ conservation of crop diversity is a global concern, and the development of an efficient and sustainable conservation system is a historic priority recognized in international law and policy. We assess the completeness of the safety duplication collection in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault with respect to data on the world's ex-situ collections as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Currently, 774,601 samples are deposited at Svalbard by 53 genebanks. We estimate that more than one third of the globally distinct accessions of 156 crop genera stored in genebanks as orthodox seeds are conserved in the Seed Vault. The numbers of safety duplicates of Triticum (wheat), Sorghum (sorghum), Pennisetum (pearl millet), Eleusine (finger millet), Cicer (chickpea) and Lens (lentil) exceed 50% of the estimated numbers of distinct accessions in global ex-situ collections. The number of accessions conserved globally generally reflects importance for food production, but there are significant gaps in the safety collection at Svalbard in some genera of high importance for food security in tropical countries, such as Amaranthus (amaranth), Chenopodium (quinoa), Eragrostis (teff) and Abelmoschus (okra). In the 29 food-crop genera with the largest number of accessions stored globally, an average of 5.5 out of the ten largest collections is already represented in the Seed Vault collection or is covered by existing deposit agreements. The high coverage of ITPGRFA Annex 1 crops and of those crops for which there is a CGIAR mandate in the current Seed Vault collection indicates that existence of international policies and institutions are important determinants for accessions to be safety duplicated at Svalbard. As a back-up site for the global conservation system, the Seed Vault plays not only a practical but also a symbolic role for enhanced integration and cooperation for conservation of crop diversity.

The Botanical Garden of the University of Banja Luka

The Botanical Garden of the University of Banjaluka is part of the “University City” complex sprawling over 5.3 ha. The complex began as the Vrbas Austro-Hungarian barracks at the end of the nineteenth century and it was used for military purposes until 2004. After being assigned to the University of Banja Luka in 2004, the area was allocated to the Genetic Resources Institute to make use of it. The Botanical Garden facilities are divided into three separate sections. In one section, the setting up of the botanical collections of genetic resources has begun. There is a fruit collection and preliminary characterization has also started on the accessions. In addition, ex-situ collections of vegetables, aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs, industrial and wild plants were designed. In the middle section, a pond was planned and the establishment of an arboretum collection was initiated, with representatives of autochthonous woody species. In the third section, green houses were designed and a building with gene bank facilities and laboratories was built. The Botanical Garden of the University of Banja Luka, as a place for ex-situ plant conservation, is of great importance for the conservation of biodiversity as well as for scientific research in this field.

Genetic variation of the Ananas genus with ornamental potential

Brazil is one of the main centers of origin of pineapple species presenting the largest genetic variation of the Ananas genus. Embrapa Cassava and Fruits is a Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation and has an ex-situ collection of 678 accessions of the Ananas genus and some other Bromeliaceae. The use of ornamental pineapple has increased in the last years demanding new varieties, mainly for the external market, due to the originality and colors of its tiny fruits. The main aim of the present study was describing accessions from the pineapple gene bank in order to quantify their genetic variation and identify possible progenitors to be used in breeding programs of ornamental pineapples. Eighty-nine accessions of Ananas comosus var. comosus, A. comosus var. bracteatus (Lindl.) Coppens et Leal, A. comosus var. ananassoides (Baker) Coppens et Leal, A. comosus var. erectifolius (L. B. Smith) Coppens et Leal, A. comosus var. parguasensis (Camargo et L. B. Smith) Coppens et Leal and A. macrodontes Morren were evaluated with 25 morphological descriptors. According to the results, the evaluated accessions were separated into the following categories: landscape plants, cut flower, potted plants, minifruits, foliage and hedge. The genetic distance among accessions was determined using the combined qualitative and quantitative data by the Gower algorithm. The pre-selected accessions presented genetic variation and ornamental potential for different uses. The multicategory analysis formed seven clusters through a classification method based on the average Euclidean distance between all accessions using the cut-point of genetic dissimilarity (D dg = 0.35). The genotypes A. comosus var. erectifolius were selected to be used as landscape plants, cut flower, minifruits and potted plants. Accessions of A. comosus var. bracteatus and A. macrodontes were selected as landscape plants and hedge. The highest variation was observed in A. comosus var. ananassoides genotypes, which presented high potential for use as cut flowers.