Germplasm Collection

Germplasm Collection

: Collecting forage and rangeland species in Turkmenistan. Credit: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). From Geneflow Special Section 2004 article: Combing Turkmenistan for plant resources

The more diversity is conserved and made available for future use, the better the chances of meeting tomorrow's needs.

But although a viable case could be made for making each and every one of the quarter of a million plant species on earth a target for a collecting mission, there are clearly some species and geographical regions that have priority.

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Why collect?

There are several reasons that could justify a collecting mission: the species is in danger of extinction or genetic erosion, users have expressed a need at the national or international level, the diversity is missing from existing ex situ collections. Or, quite simply, not enough is known about the species.

A successful collecting mission is dependent on several factors. Among them is the need to plan well ahead- both technically and logistically, to involve local people and to ensure the speedy location of target species. A considerable amount of time can otherwise be wasted on searching for populations that can add value to the collection.

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Ecogeographic studies: the way to begin

An ecogeographic study is the process of obtaining, collating and analysing different kinds of existing data pertaining to a particular species within a defined region. Such a study, validated, refined and complemented by subsequent exploration and other fieldwork, is generally seen as an essential first step in the development of a comprehensive strategy for the conservation and use of plant genetic resources.

Before sensible conservation decisions can be made, a basic understanding of the taxonomy, genetic diversity, geographic distribution, ecological adaptation and ethnobotany of a plant group as well as of the geography, ecology, climate and human communities of the target region is essential. This kind of analysis will help to explore such key issues as:

when, where and how to collect germplasm;
how threatened is the germplasm;
where genetic reserves might best be placed and how they would need to be monitored and managed; and
the relative contribution of ex situ and in situ approaches to an overall conservation strategy.

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