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

Ex-situ and in-situ conservation of plant genetic resources in Germany
Table 3: A selection of non-governmental organisations and individuals dealing with ex-situ
conservation of plant genetic resources in Germany
Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft (AbL), Rheda-Wiedenbrück
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Ökologischer Landbau (AGÖL)
Verein zur Erhaltung der Nutzpflanzenvielfalt (VEN), Arenborn
Pflanzenzuchtverein Wernstein, Mainleus
Institut für landwirtschaftliche Forschung und Untersuchung (IlFU), Halle
A. Bauer, Breitbrunn
J. Reckin, Finowfurt
Stählin, Wettenberg-Wismar
The different methods applied are not fully evident; most activities are ´on-farm´ conservation which has
a leg in the ex-situ and another leg in the in-situ approach depending on the genepool that is being
maintained. If it is exotic material it should be counted as ex-situ conservation whereas indigenous or
introduced samples could be regarded under in-situ conservation.
3. In-situ Conservation
3.1 Formal Sector
The formal sector is involved in in-situ conservation too, particularly of forestry and wild species and
to some extent of agricultural crops.
3.1.1 Agricultural and Horticultural Crops
Initiated by the Information Centre for Genetic Resources in Bonn, a concept has been developed to
safeguard indigenous genetic resources of agricultural crops in-situ; it should be understood as one way
of in-situ conservation which is not an exclusive approach. Based on the concept, in-situ conservation
will be in the responsability of the biosphere reserves that constitute a significant component of the ´Man
and Biosphere Programme (MAB)´ of the UNESCO. Under the guidance of a particular biosphere
reserve administration, farmers voluntarily grow samples of landraces or old cultivars that ideally
originated from the respective region.
In response to this approach, a first pilot project has been started at the Biosphere Reserve Schorfheide-
Chorin situated northeast of Berlin. The project will conserve some five accessions of rye and potatoes.
The germplasm samples will be provided by the Genebank Gatersleben where, at present, samples are
being multiplied for the 1994 season. Other projects with fruit crops are already being discussed with
institutions in Baden-Würtemberg and Sachsen.
3.1.2 Forestry Species
Naturally, in-situ conservation is dominant in the forestry sector; conservation of natural stands has a
long tradition with the majority of the indigenous species. Most activities are executed at the State level
and being supervised by the Federal/State Working Group for Forest Genetic Resources (Table 2)