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

farmers willingly partake of their seeds or plants with us and in addition we obtain a lot of
informations about traditional cultivation, usability of different plants as food, medicine or
resistance against pests and insects e.t.c.Such informations can be used in ecological programmes.
Therefore, first of all we must collect as soon as possibie the germplasm in mentioned farms. In
a few years, when old farmers will die, this rich source of genetic resources will be irretrievable.
Besides, close contacts have been made with certain non-governmental organizations such as:
Allotment Garden Association, Polish Horticulture Society, Polish Botanical Society, National
Fundation of Environment Protection, Advisory Agriculture Centre and also with private
producers. These institutions play very important role in popularization of germplasm
conservation and the possibilities of their utilization. Different specialists belong to these
organizations provide us many valuable informations about history of plants, ecogeographical
survey of species distribution et.c.
Owing to good cooperations with foreign institutions and specialists (IBPGR/FAO, VIR, other
gene banks et.c.) we have possibilities to participate in international scientific missions (Syberia,
Central Asia, Israel), in conference, trainings and also helps to exchange materials and
informations.
The curator of vegetable crops collection is a member of Allium Working Group within IBPGR
and data on our collections are included into European Data Base
Genetic resources utilization
The conservation of plant germplasm is the best guarantee that in future, breeders and other
scientists, will have working material available to them.
Interest in gene bank materials has been increasing lately, mostly from breeders, agricultural
universities, other universities, research institutes, botanical gardens, seed and breeding
companies, experimental breeding stations, and also private producers. Gene bank collection is
the main base of initial material and suggestions for research work useful for practical breeding.
Besides, the materials from gene bank are examined by breeders and the results of the examination
are included to the data base in the gene bank. Breeders are interested in utilizing germplasm wild
and cultivated, which offers great potential value for breeding. The plant breeders look to plant
germlasm as a source of high cold or drought tolerance, more effective photosynthesis in lower
temperature, tolerant to air or soil pollution, resistant to pathogens et.c. Collected accessions can
be used to rebuildsuch the quality characters as taste, flavour, and other nutrient compounds
which are lost sometimes during of intensive breeding works.
The accessions maintained in field collection are used by students of agricultural universities or
agricultural schools to prepare thesis or for didactic aims. The results of these studies also enlarge
data base of given accessions in gene bank.
In 1993 474 samples of 17 species of vegetable crops and 19 wild species, were distributed in
Poland. 57 samples of 26 species of vegetable crops where sent abroad. From Poland we received
205 samples of 11 species and from other countries we recived 62 samples of 5 species. During
3 short explorations in Poland have been gathered 95 accessions of 21 species.