Bioversity's Publications Catalogue contains a selection of our publications. Many publications can be accessed free of charge as Web pages or PDF file. If required, download Acrobat Reader for viewing files.

Latest Publications

ECPGR Report of a Working Group on Cucurbits Source/Contributor: ECPGR (European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources) - ECPGR-VeN (ECPGR - Vegetables) - EUR (Bioversity's Regional Office for Europe)

First Meeting, 1-2 September 2005, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

 

 

Statistical analysis for plant genetic resources: clustering and indices in
R made simple Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - SSA (Regional Office for Sub-Saharan Africa) - UMBP (Understanding and Managing Biodiversity)

This handbook aims to give researchers tools and methods to analyse mathematically complex morphological characterization data.

R is a powerful software language and environment for statistical computing and graphics, developed by volunteers from around the world, working together over the Internet. The core development team consists of fewer than twenty programmers who maintain and develop the general R environment, with contributions from many others. A much larger number of contributors write individual statistical packages for R that address specific needs.

Statisticians and researchers write many of these statistical packages for their own research purposes, ensuring that R is in the forefront of developments in statistics. Another of R’s strengths is the ease with which well-designed publication-quality plots can be produced, including mathematical symbols and formulae where needed. More

ECPGR A Strategic Framework for the Implementation of a European Genebank Integrated System (AEGIS) Source/Contributor: ECPGR (European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources) - EUR (Bioversity's Regional Office for Europe)

How can existing genebanks in Europe operate more rationally if the available financial and human resources remain at their current capacity? One of the ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness and to ensure rational ex situ conservation and use of plant genetic resources in Europe is through the sharing of tasks, based on an active collaboration among genebanks in the long term.

A feasibility study to address this challenge was conducted in 2004-2006 within the framework of the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR). The objective of this study was to come up with a set of recommendations on how to develop a European genebank integrated system based on analysis of organizational, technical, legal and financial aspects. The analysis was made within four pilot crop working groups (Allium, Avena, Brassica and Prunus), each with a wide range of partners participating from different countries. More

Guía para el manejo eficaz de un banco de germoplasma Authors: J.M.M. Engels y L. Visser (Editores)
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - CGN (The Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) - NPGS (National Plant Germplasm System) - SGRP (System-Wide Genetic Resources Programme) - UMBP (Understanding and Managing Biodiversity)

Los Manuales de Bioversity para Bancos de Germoplasma se han concebido para proporcionar información práctica a los curadores de los bancos y a otro personal que trabaja en ellos.

El presente manual es una traducción de la versión original publicada en inglés en 2003.

Este manual no pretende ser una guía estricta para el manejo de un banco de germoplasma en tanto las guías corren el riesgo de ser contraproducentes porque se basan en condiciones que rara vez se encuentran en la vida real. El manejo de un banco de germoplasma requiere decisiones creativas y adaptaciones a condiciones de funcionamiento específicas aunque cambiantes. More

Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter No. 152Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations)

The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter publishes paper in English, French or Spanish, dealing with the genetic resources of useful plants, resulting from new work, historical study, review and criticism in genetic diversity, ethnobotanical and ecogeographical surveying, herbarium studies, collecting, characterization and evaluation, documentation, conservation, and genebank practice.The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is published under the joint auspices of the Bioversity International and the Plant Production and Protection Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter appears as one volume per year, made up of four issues, published in March, June, September and December. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is available free of charge to interested libraries of genebanks, university and government departments, research institutions, etc. The periodical may also be made available to individuals who can show that they have a need for a personal copy of the publication. More

Diversity studies in the interaction between the anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and its host plant Stylosanthes spp. in Mexico Authors: S. Gama-López, F. Munaut, J. Vander Stappen,
X. Scheldeman and V. Van Damme
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - Bioversity-UMBP (Understanding and Managing Biodiversity)

Pests and diseases are important constraints to production in both traditional and modern agricultural systems. It is widely accepted that crop diversity, mainly through use of resistance and tolerance genes, is an important asset in reducing the risk of crop losses related to pests and diseases. However, little is known about the effect of the natural pathogen diversity on the occurrence and severity of phytopathological infestations. More

Plant genetic resources and food security in West and Central AfricaAuthors: R. Vodouhe, K. Atta-Krah, G.E. Achigan-Dako,
O. Eyog-Matig and H. Avohou (editors)
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - SSA (Regional Office for Sub-Saharan Africa)

Regional Conference, 26-30 April 2004

The Regional Conference on Plant Genetic Resources and Food Security in West and Central Africa was held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria from 26 to 30 April 2004. Ninety-five scientists and agricultural research managers from 13 countries and 18 institutions and organizations attended the conference that was organized under the auspices of Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Recherche et le Développement (CORAF). It took about two years to organize it. More

Newsletter for Europe No. 35 Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)
- EUR (Bioversity's Regional Office for Europe)

Bioversity’s Regional Office for Europe provides the Coordination Secretariats for the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) and for the European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN).

Bioversity publishes two issues of the Newsletter for Europe a year. This Newsletter is intended to serve as an informal forum for the exchange of news and views, and to create closer ties within the genetic resources community in Europe. More

Assessment of plant genetic resources for water-use efficiency (WUE): managing water scarcityAuthors: A. Bari, scientific editor
Source/Contributor: AARINENA (Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa) - Bioversity (Bioversity International) - CWANA (Bioversity's Regional Office for Central & West Asia and North Africa) - IDRC (International Development Research Center) - INRAM (L'institut National de Recherche Agronomique du Maroc)

Although water is a renewable resource, its supply is not inexhaustible. It is unlikely that sufficient new water resources will be found to meet the projected increase in demand for water for food production, as existing water resources are already under pressure. It is vital, therefore, that existing resources be managed efficiently. This is particularly true with regard to agriculture, which utilizes more than two-thirds of the global water used by humans. More

Minimum list of descriptors for CoconutSource/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)

This list consists of descriptors that are absolutely essential to describe a coconut accession. It is intended for coconut researchers and genebank curators, to enable them to describe coconut diversity using a standardized core set of descriptors and thus more easily exchange, compare, understand and use information about coconut genetic resources. More

Emmer in Turkey - An ancient cereal maintained by mountain farmersAuthors: Alessandra Giuliani
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - Bioversity-DLP (Diversity for Livelihood Programme) - GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species)

Emmer (Triticum dicoccon) has been cultivated in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East for 10 000 years. It is one of a family of three ancient crops, known as hulled wheats, whose once-popular cultivation has dwindled in recent years. The other two are einkorn (Triticum monococcum) and spelt (Triticum spelta). More

The Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species - Website Static
Version October 2007 Author/editor: Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species
Source/Contributor:Bioversity (Bioversity International) - BMZ (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) - GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species) - GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit) - ICUC (International Centre for Underutilized Crops) - IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development)

A static version of GFU's web site - information about the GFU, a repository of documents organized by thematic category, a database on "who is doing what", funding opportunities, web links and much more. More

GFU Species BrochuresSource/Contributor: GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species)

The GFU, in an effort to increase awareness and understanding of the potential underutilizes species hold for improvement of livelihoods, has gathered commercial samples of products coming from these species that belong to an exhibit we showcase whenever possible and appropriate. More

Inviting all the world’s crops to the table: supporting traditional crops to supply future needsAuthors: Nancy Hart
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species)

"Inviting all the world’s crops to the table" was prepared by the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species (GFU), in cooperation with Bioversity International. This publication is another effort of GFU to raise awareness of the importance of underutilized plant species for improving peoples’ livelihoods. It underscores the findings of the Chennai Platform for Action, which grew out of an international consultation held in Chennai, India, in April 2005. This meeting, organized by GFU, Bioversity International and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation was attended by policymakers and experts from 25 countries around the world and formulated approaches to maximize the contribution of agricultural biodiversity to reducing hunger and poverty. More

Marketing underutilized plant species for the poor: a case study of minor millets in Kolli hills, Tamil Nadu, IndiaAuthors: Guillaume Gruere, Latha Nagarajan and E.D.I. Oliver King
Source/Contributor: GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species) - IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute) - M.S. Swaminathan Research (M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation)

In this paper we are conducting an evaluation of the marketing development initiative for minor millets in the Kolli Hills by the concerned non-governmental organization. We analyze the recently-created market chain of minor millet crops along with the major actors involved, through a series of field visits and focus group discussions with the relevant stakeholders. More

Marketing underutilized crops: the case of the African garden egg (Solanum ethiopicum) in GhanaAuthors: Daniela Horna, Samuel Timpo and Guillaume Gruère
Source/Contributor: BNARI (Biotechnology and Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute) - GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species) - IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute)

The overall objective of this study is to analyze constraints affecting the African garden egg market chain in Ghana. Furthermore, to identify the factors that help determine the success of market chain development of garden egg in Ghana; and to analyze the effect of market development on biodiversity. More

Farro in Italy: A desk-study Authors: Markus Buerli
Source/Contributor: GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species)

Farro, also known as ‘hulled wheats’ (einkorn, emmer and spelt) are among the most ancient cereal crops of the Mediterranean region (Perrino et al. 1996). These cereals were popular within the region for hundreds of years and remained a staple food for a long time until they eventually fell into disuse. More

Analysis of markets for African leafy vegetables within Nairobi ant its environs and implications for on-farm conservation of biodiversityAuthors: Charity Irungu (author) and John Mburu, Patrick Maundu, Mikkel Grum and Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon (contributors)
Source/Contributor: GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species)

African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs) are important sources of essential macro and micro-nutrients. In addition they offer a source of livelihood when marketed, and also contribute to crop biodiversity. Despite these positive aspects, only a few ALVs are grown, marketed and consumed in Kenya. More

Relevance of geographical indications and designations of origin for the sustainable use of genetic resourcesAuthors: Jorge Larson
Source/Contributor: GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species)

This study provides a worldwide panorama of current trends in Geographical Indications (GIs) as they relate to biodiversity conservation and rural development, and their potential contributions to poverty, hunger alleviation and environmental goals. More

Descriptors for wild and cultivated Rice (Oryza spp.) Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) - WARDA (Africa Rice Center)

‘Descriptors for wild and cultivated rice (Oryza spp.)’ is a revision of the original IBPGR and IRRI publication ‘Descriptors for rice (Oryza sativa L.)’ (1980), expanded to include descriptors for wild rice species of the genus Oryza, and harmonized as far as possible with descriptors developed by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV 2004; www.upov.org) for new cultivars of cultivated rice. The 1980 list has been widely used and is considered to be the most valid descriptor system for rice. This revision has been developed in collaboration with Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton, Renato Reaño, Socorro Almazan, Elizabeth Naredo, Maria Celeste Banaticla, Edwin Javier and Melissa Fitzgerald of IRRI, and subsequently sent to a number of experts for their comments. A full list of the names and addresses of those involved is given in ‘Contributors’. More

Descritores para Feijão frade ou caupi (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)

Traduzido do original em Inglês: IBPGR. 1983. Descriptors for cowpea. International Board for Plant Genetic Resources, Rome, Italy. 30 pp.

O feijão frade (feijão caupi) (Vigna unguiculata) é uma leguminosa da família das Fabáceas conhecido também como "guandul" ou "feijão de cabecinha preta". É rico em proteínas, tolerante à seca e, dada a sua capacidade de fixação de azoto, pode ser cultivado em solos pobres, melhorando-os. O feijão frade é utilizado na alimentação humana e animal e demonstrou ser particularmente lucrativo para os pequenos agricultores de países africanos
em desenvolvimento, como Angola. More

Descriptors for Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)

Descriptors for Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) were developed by Drs Songpol Somsri, Alfredo T. Corpuz, Salma Idris and Bhag Mal. Dr Bhag Mal coordinated the development of this descriptor list. A draft version prepared in the internationally accepted Bioversity format for descriptor lists was subsequently sent to a number of international experts for their comments and amendments. A full list of the names and addresses of those involved is given in ‘Contributors’. More

Manual para el Manejo de Semillas en Bancos de GermoplasmaAuthors: N. Kameswara Rao, Jean Hanson, M. Ehsan Dulloo, Kakoli Ghosh, avid Nowell y Michael larinde
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - Bioversity-UMBP (Understanding and Managing Biodiversity) - CTA (Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) - ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute) - NORGEN (North American Network on Plant Genetic Resources) - NPGS (National Plant Germplasm System) - Trust (Global Crop Diversity Trust)

Los bancos de germoplasma son depósitos de recursos fitogenéticos que proporcionan la materia prima para el mejoramiento de los cultivos. Estos recursos cumplen una función vital en el desarrollo sostenible de la agricultura en tanto ayudan a aumentar la producción de alimentos y a combatir el hambre y la pobreza. En los cultivos, se puede producir una resistencia a las plagas y enfermedades de manera que se reduzca la necesidad de usar químicos que puedan tener efectos deletéreos en los agricultores y en el medio ambiente. Las semillas que se almacenan en los bancos de germoplasma son un recurso vital e irreemplazable, una herencia que se debe conservar para proveer opciones a la agricultura en el futuro, en un mundo que afronta el cambio climático y otros desafíos. La conservación sostenible de los recursos genéticos depende del trabajo eficaz del personal de los bancos de germoplasma, cuyo papel es crítico para garantizar que el germoplasma se conserve de manera efectiva y eficiente. Este personal debe aplicar procedimientos adecuados al manejo de las semillas para garantizar que éstas sobrevivan y estén disponibles para las generaciones actuales y futuras. More

Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter No. 151 Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations)

The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter publishes paper in English, French or Spanish, dealing with the genetic resources of useful plants, resulting from new work, historical study, review and criticism in genetic diversity, ethnobotanical and ecogeographical surveying, herbarium studies, collecting, characterization and evaluation, documentation, conservation, and genebank practice.The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is published under the joint auspices of the Bioversity International and the Plant Production and Protection Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter appears as one volume per year, made up of four issues, published in March, June, September and December. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is available free of charge to interested libraries of genebanks, university and government departments, research institutions, etc. The periodical may also be made available to individuals who can show that they have a need for a personal copy of the publication. More

Manejo de Semillas en Bancos de Germoplasma Authors: N. Kameswara Rao, J. Hanson, M.E. Dulloo and E. Goldberg
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - Bioversity-UMBP (Understanding and Managing Biodiversity) - CTA (Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)

Módulo de autoaprendizaje

Seguir los procedimientos adecuados en el manejo de las semillas en un banco de germoplasma es fundamental para conservar los recursos fitogenéticos a largo plazo y de manera eficiente y efectiva en costos. Estos procedimientos garantizan que las semillas almacenadas sean de la más alta calidad y alcancen la máxima longevidad. El objetivo de un banco de germoplasma es mantener accesiones de alta viabilidad durante períodos prolongados. Los avances en la biología de las semillas durante las últimas décadas han permitido comprender mejor la fisiología de las semillas y su comportamiento en almacenamiento, haciendo de ellas el medio más fácil y conveniente de conservación a largo plazo. Esto ha llevado al desarrollo de técnicas para manejar adecuadamente las semillas y prepararlas para el almacenamiento. More

Ex Situ Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources Authors: Sildana Jaramillo and Margarita Baena
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)

Training Module

Plant genetic resources form the basis on which humankind subsists. They provide basic needs and help solve problems such as hunger and poverty. However, they are being lost, mainly through inappropriate use and destruction of habitat. Given their vital importance, we must conserve them for the benefit of both present and future generations. More

SGRP Annual Report 2006 Source/Contributor: SGRP (System-Wide Genetic Resources Programme)

The System-wide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP) unites all of the independent centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) in a collaborative effort to sustain biodiversity for current and future generations. The diversity of plant, animal, forest and aquatic genetic resources supplies the building blocks for sustainable agriculture. More

Delivering distance education on plant genetic resourcesAuthors: Margarita Baena, Mariano Mejía, Benjamín Pineda, Rigoberto Hidalgo, Edith Hesse, Elizabeth Goldberg and Fabiola Amariles
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - CIAT (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical) - REDCAPA (Network of Institutions Dedicated to Teaching Agricultural and Rural Development Policies for Latin America and the Caribbean) - UNC (Universidad Nacional de Colombia)

An evaluation of the collaborative association between CIAT, Bioversity International, UNC and REDCAPA on conducting a distance-education course on the ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources

This report describes the activities of a collaborative association between the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Bioversity International (formerly the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)), the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNC), and the Network of Institutions Dedicated to Teaching Agricultural and Rural Development Policies for Latin America and the Caribbean (REDCAPA). The association aimed to conduct a distance-education course on the ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources. More

Participatory plant breeding to promote Farmers’ Rights Authors: M. Halewood, P. Deupmann, B.R. Sthapit, R. Vernooy and S. Ceccarelli
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - GRPI (The Genetic Resources Policy Initiative) - ICARDA (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas) - IDRC (International Development Research Center)

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the Treaty) is the first legally binding international agreement that explicitly recognizes farmers’ rights. The normative content of the Treaty’s Article 9 on farmers’ rights is relatively open-ended. It sets the scene for proactive and imaginative national-level implementation and for continued normative evolution at the international level by the Treaty’s Governing Body. More

Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter No. 150 Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations)

The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter publishes paper in English, French or Spanish, dealing with the genetic resources of useful plants, resulting from new work, historical study, review and criticism in genetic diversity, ethnobotanical and ecogeographical surveying, herbarium studies, collecting, characterization and evaluation, documentation, conservation, and genebank practice.The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is published under the joint auspices of the Bioversity International and the Plant Production and Protection Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter appears as one volume per year, made up of four issues, published in March, June, September and December. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is available free of charge to interested libraries of genebanks, university and government departments, research institutions, etc. The periodical may also be made available to individuals who can show that they have a need for a personal copy of the publication. More

Bioversity International in Focus Author: Jeremy Cherfas
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)

Biological diversity encompasses all the variation in living things on Earth. Part is used by people to meet their needs for food, shelter, medicines, building materials and so on. That portion is usually referred to as agricultural biodiversity. Bioversity International exists to conduct research on agricultural biodiversity that will enable poor people to improve their livelihoods. This booklet outlines the areas of agricultural biodiversity on which the organization focuses.

Conserving coffee genetic resourcesAuthors: F. Engelmann, M.E. Dulloo, C. Astorga, S. Dussert and F. Anthony (editors)
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) - IRD (Institut de recherche pour le développement)

Complementary strategies for ex situ conservation of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) genetic resources. A case study in CATIE, Costa Rica

It is now well recognized that an appropriate conservation strategy for a particular plant genepool requires a holistic approach, combining in a complementary manner the different ex situ and in situ conservation techniques available. Selection of the appropriate methods should be based on a range of criteria, including the biological nature of the species in question and the practicality and feasibility of the particular method chosen, as well as the cost-effectiveness and security afforded by its application. Considerations of complementarity with respect to the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the various conservation methods chosen are also important. Complementarity is a flexible concept, which evolves with the availability of techniques aiming at conserving, propagating and characterizing the genetic resources in question. Research on the development of complementary conservation strategies gained momentum at the beginning of the 1990s, and is coordinated by Bioversity International (Bioversity). More

EUFORGEN Climate change and forest genetic diversityAuthors: J. Koskela, A. Buck and E. Teissier du Cros (editors)
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - ENGREF (Ecole Nationale du Génie Rural, des Eaux et des Forêts) - EUFORGEN (European Forest Genetic Resources Network) - EUR (Bioversity's Regional Office for Europe) - IUFRO (International Union of Forest Research Organizations) - MAPRF (Ministère de l’Agriculture et de la Pêche de la République Française) - MCPFE (Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe)

Implications for sustainable forest management in Europe

Climate change is increasingly recognized as one of the most important challenges
faced globally by ecosystems and societies alike. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), climate change could increase average temperatures by 2–4°C in Europe over the next 50 years and cause considerable changes in regional and seasonal patterns of precipitation. This will alter the environmental conditions to which forest trees in Europe are adapted and expose them to new pests and diseases. Climate change will thus create additional challenges for forest management, with consequent impacts on the economic and social benefits that societies and individuals derive from the forests, and on the biological diversity in forest ecosystems. More

Developing crop descriptor lists, Guidelines for developersSource/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)

Bioversity Technical Bulletin No. 13

The world faces a continual need to increase crop productivity, and to develop new varieties more adapted to changing environmental and biological challenges or to meet the evolving needs of local communities. To meet these needs and challenges, farmers and breeders not only must have access to a wide range of plant genetic resources but also must have access to the essential information about those plant genetic resources that will allow effective use to be made of them. These guidelines have been developed to assist genebank curators, breeders, plant scientists, national programmes, networks and users of genetic resources working with specific crops and gene pools to develop their own descriptor lists in order to characterize their material and make information available to others in a systematic and unambiguous form. More

Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter No. 149Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations)

The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter publishes paper in English, French or Spanish, dealing with the genetic resources of useful plants, resulting from new work, historical study, review and criticism in genetic diversity, ethnobotanical and ecogeographical surveying, herbarium studies, collecting, characterization and evaluation, documentation, conservation, and genebank practice.The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is published under the joint auspices of the Bioversity International and the Plant Production and Protection Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter appears as one volume per year, made up of four issues, published in March, June, September and December. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is available free of charge to interested libraries of genebanks, university and government departments, research institutions, etc. The periodical may also be made available to individuals who can show that they have a need for a personal copy of the publication. More

Neglected no more Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)

Achievements of the IFAD-NUS project (2001-2005)
Framework for its follow-up initiative (2007-2009)

In 2001, with financial backing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Bioversity International started a programme called Enhancing the contribution of neglected and underutilized species to food security and to incomes of the rural poor. This programme was successfully completed four years later, laying the groundwork for a three-year follow-up programme, Empowering the rural poor by strengthening their identity, income opportunities and nutritional security through the improved use and marketing of neglected and underutilized species, which started in 2007. The foundation for these studies is a firmly held and increasingly recognized belief that biodiversity is important for people's lives, and that one way of protecting biodiversity is by supporting the use and appreciation of plant species that are currently neglected and underutilized.

This publication reports some of the findings of the first study. More

Developing Markets for AgrobiodiversityAuthor: A. Giuliani
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - EARTHSCAN (Earthscan)

Securing Livelihoods in Dryland Areas

This book from Bioversity International describes a study, conducted in Syria, of how communities are developing markets for local products derived from neglected and underutilized plants. Based on concrete case studies, the data and processes documented in the book show the potential of biodiversity to make a significant contribution to livelihood security in communities that inhabit difficult environments with unique resources. The study also highlights the importance of local cultural knowledge and institutions in sustainable development of biodiversity markets. More

Crop genetic diversity to reduce pests and diseases on-farm: Participatory diagnosis guidelines. Version I Authors: Devra I. Jarvis and Dindo M. Campilan
Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - CIP (Centro Internacional de la Papa) - FEM (Fonds pour l'Environnement Mondial) - Ford Foundation (Ford Foundation) - SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) - UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)

IPGRI Technical Bulletin No. 12

Based on the outputs of the participants of the Spoleto, Italy (2002) Initial Planning Workshop, and the Kunming, China (September 2004) and Meknes, Morocco (March 2005) Workshops on Diagnostic Tools to Understand Farmers’ Knowledge, Beliefs and Practices. More

Crop wild relatives Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)

Crop wild relatives include crop ancestors as well as other species more or less closely related to crops. They are a critical source of genes for resistance to diseases, pests and stresses such as drought and extreme temperatures. The use of wild relatives has led to improved resistance to wheat curl mite, to late blight in potato and to grassy stunt disease in rice. They have been used to improve tolerance of drought in wheat and acid sulphate soils in rice. Wild relatives have also been used to raise the nutritional value of some crops, including protein content in durum wheat, calcium content in potatoes and provitamin A in tomato. More

Managing biodiversity in agricultural ecosystemsAuthor/editor: D.I. Jarvis,C. Padoch and H.D. Cooper Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) - IDRC (International Development Research Center) - SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) - UNU (United Nations University)

Managing Biodiversity in Agricultural Ecosystems takes a look at how farmers manage, maintain, and benefit from biodiversity in agricultural production systems. The volume includes the most recent research and developments in the maintenance of local diversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Chapters cover the assessment and farmer management practices for crop, livestock, aquatic, and associated diversity (such as pollinators and soil microorganisms) in agricultural ecosystems; examine the potential role of diversity in minimizing pest and disease pressures; and present studies that exemplify the potential nutritional, ecosystem-service, and financial values of this diversity under changing economic and environmental conditions. The volume contains perspectives that combine the thinking of social and biological scientists. More

La storia d'una pianta: Rucola un grande ritorno Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International)

Troppo spesso la ricerca scientifica ha trascurato le colture tradizionali malgrado la loro importanza a livello locale. Eppure queste colture rappresentano la soluzione a molti problemi legati alla malnutrizione ad alla salute. Varietà di frutta e verdura tradizionali sono spesso ricche di vitamine e di minerali. Una dieta diversificata che includa queste colture tradizionali può avere un impatto significativo sulla nostra alimentazione e quindi sulla nostra salute aiutandoci a prevenire quelle malattie derivanti anche da una alimentazione sbagliata, tipo l’obesità, il diabete di tipo II e le malattie cardiovascolari. Bioversity International è impegnata a promuovere queste colture tradizionali per garantire a tutti un benessere migliore e la rucola è tra queste. More

The Genetic Resources Policy Initiative Newsletter - June 2007 Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - GRPI (The Genetic Resources Policy Initiative) - IDRC (International Development Research Center)

The purpose of this newsletter is to inform all our national partners and stakeholders of activities and events that are taking place in the Project. The unique design allows for quick and easy access to articles of interest to you. New articles will be added every time we produce the newsletter. There will be three editions of this newsletter for the purpose of targeting information that is relevant to your needs. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us. As always, we would like to extend our gratitude to all national partners and stakeholders who have played an instrumental role in our efforts aimed at strengthening capacity to analyse national options. More

Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter No. 148Source/Contributor: Bioversity (Bioversity International) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations)

The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter publishes paper in English, French or Spanish, dealing with the genetic resources of useful plants, resulting from new work, historical study, review and criticism in genetic diversity, ethnobotanical and ecogeographical surveying, herbarium studies, collecting, characterization and evaluation, documentation, conservation, and genebank practice.The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is published under the joint auspices of the Bioversity International and the Plant Production and Protection Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter appears as one volume per year, made up of four issues, published in March, June, September and December. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter is available free of charge to interested libraries of genebanks, university and government departments, research institutions, etc. The periodical may also be made available to individuals who can show that they have a need for a personal copy of the publication. More

Newsletter for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania No. 51 Source/Contributor: APO (Bioversity's Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania) - Bioversity (Bioversity International)

The APO newsletter is produced thrice a year and is mainly aimed at promoting the overall concern on genetic resources, with emphasis on their conservation and use. It provides information on genetic resources activities carried out by national programmes and other centres in the region. Information is also periodically abstracted from recent literature (books, periodicals, etc.), and brief research contributions published. With over 2500 addresses on its mailing list, the APO Newsletter is widely distributed to focus on Bioversity's mandate to advance the conservation and use of plant, animal, aquatic and microbial genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations. More

The Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species - Website Static
Version April 2007 Author/editor: Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species
Source/Contributor:Bioversity (Bioversity International) - BMZ (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit) - FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) - GFU (Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species) - GTZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit) - ICUC (International Centre for Underutilized Crops) - IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development)

A static version of GFU's web site - information about the GFU, a repository of documents organized by thematic category, a database on "who is doing what", funding opportunities, web links and much more. More