Integration of Conservation Strategies of Plant Genetic ... - Genres

Vegetable Crops Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization
T. KOTLINSKA 1
Introduction
Conservation of germplasm of vegetable crops is carried out from 1982 and it is a part of the
National Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Programme, coordinated by the PBAI at
Radzików.
From 1986-1990 was realized and financed within CPBP 05.04. entitled" Conservation,
evaluation and documentation of crop plants for breeding and genetic research" under direction
of prof. S. Góra, National Deparment of Plant Genetic Resources,PBAI, Radzików.
Modification of the principles of research financing caused, that "Conservation of genetic
resources of vegetable crops is included to the basic activity of the Research Institute of
Vegetable Crops at Skierniewice. From 1991 the Plant Genetic Resources Lab. of that institute
carries responsibility of that programme, which is supported by Ministry of Agriculture.
The main objectives of programme are to collect, preserve in a viable state the plant genetic
resources endangered by extinction and to stimulate its utilization.
This activity covers all aspects of the germplasm collection and preservation: as passport
information, documentation, characterization, evaluation, distribution and also organization of
collecting missions, maintaining of collections, multiplication, supply of germplasm to plant
breeders and other research workers, exchange of materials and informations, cooperation with
simmilar institution in Poland and abroad etc.
The most important task is to collect and protect; as many landraces, ecotypes, old native
cultivars of vegetable crops, which can be found all over the country. Special attention is paid to
collecting ecotypes and landraces, which for many years hare not been cultivated on acommercial
scale, but still exist in small private farms. The specific structure of Polish agriculture and keeping
a tradition alive by old peoples caused, that was possible to save many old native landraces are
representing genetic diversity in dynamic equilibrium with the local environment. Sometimes the
landraces originated from the time before the second war (pumpkin, shallots, bean, tomato,
cabbage).
1
Author's address:
Research Institute of Vegetable Crops
Konstytucji 3
Maja 1/3
96-100 Skierniewice
Poland