Schriften zu Genetischen Ressourcen - Genres

A Species Compendium for Plant Genetic Resources Conservation
• Amenability of species for in vitro storage and/or cryopreservation, including existing
in vitro and cryopreservation protocols and references
• Reproductive systems and pollination ecology, including parameters such as inor
outbreeding, annual or perennial, pollinators (e.g. insects – which ones –, wind,
etc.) isolation requirements for multiplication, etc.
• Additional miscellaneous parameters such as centre(s) of origin/diversity, geographical
distribution, taxonomic nomenclature (including correct spelling of preferred
names and synonyms), etc.
The information about seed germination requirements and dormancy has already
been collated into a “Compendium of Information on the Dormancy and Germination
of Seeds of Selected Trees and Shrubs”. About 1.500, predominantly woody species
are included, and for each species listed information (if available) is presented in up
to eight sections. These sections are common names, distribution and ecology, plant
characteristics, evidence of dormancy, germination regimes for non-dormant seeds,
successful dormancy-breaking treatments, nursery practice and further information.
Approximately 3.000 literature references have been collected about pollen storability
and specific information on pollen storage behaviour of about 1.600 species is available.
The extension procedures will start with the improvement of the database structure of
the ESSB and the conversion of the data into a standard desktop database (i.e. MS-
Access). The data about germination and dormancy will be configured in an Access
database with an analogous structure to allow merging it with the ESSB. Other species-based
datasets might be added in cooperation with other information suppliers
or potential partners. To avoid duplication of efforts, to develop the right structure for
the Species Compendium and collocate it within the already existing projects on genetic
resources information, the European and global scene needs to be assessed.
A web-enabled search interface will be developed and hosted by IPGRI, probably
mirrored elsewhere, to allow searching the databases through the web. Creating a
web-enabled updating mechanism, including the implementation of an author-curator
model is also taken into consideration. All extension procedures, standards applied
(taxonomy, quality, etc.) as well as the history will be thoroughly documented.
Due attention will be given to data ownership, copyright issues, custodianship and
acknowledgement of contributors, curators and editors.
It has already been pointed out that the information contained in the Compendium is
not of “static” nature. Thus, it needs to be discussed how best to motivate scientists
to contribute and to use the Compendium. One aspect is certainly to provide easy
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