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

Conservation and management of plant genetic resources in France
Bureau des Ressources Génétiques (BRG). It is coordinated by a person from GEVES, who is working
next to INRA plant breeders in Clermont-Ferrand, and who is responsible for the double of the whole
collection stored in cold room at Clermont-Ferrand.
Today, the network includes resources which are maintained over 5 INRA plant breeding stations and
over 6 private breeders stations.
2.2.3. Tomatoes
This network was initiated in 1988 by INRA and three private firms : CLAUSE, VILMORIN and
TEZIER. It is coordinated by the INRA plant breeding station in Montfavet. It includes about 2000
genetic resources, involving varieties and selfed lines, mutants and isogenic lines, wild species from the
genius Lycopersicon. The first step of this program, which was financially supported by the Ministry of
Research, was the characterization of the whole material. Actually, the lack of a permanent financial
support does not allow the multiplication of the whole collection of resources.
2.2.4. Forage, meadow plants and grasses
This network was initiated in 1990 by INRA, GEVES and private breeders from AFCEV ; it is really
efficient since 1992. It is ensuring the conservation of more than 2000 resources which are Graminaceae
(Lolium perenne and multiflorum, Festuca and Dactylis) and lucernes (annual and perenial). Each
partner is responsible for the multiplication of his material, and has to supply the coordinating centre
(GEVES-Le Magneraud) for the seed distribution.
There are 3 types of gene banks in the network : an active one for the distribution of seeds and a longterm
one where seeds are maintained at -20λC, which are both located in Le Magneraud ; a security
bank distributed over all sites of the network where seeds are stored at +4λC.
2.2.5. Maize
A cooperative program concerning the conservation of populations' genetic diversity was initiated in
1984 by INRA and maize private breeders (PROMAÏS). It was financially supported by the Ministry of
Agriculture since the beginning of the program. 1200 populations, which are maintened in cold rooms
at 4λC in Montpellier, were characterized for per se value and test-cross values, and then grouped in
32 genetic pools. The agronomical performance of 24 of these pools was improved, by crossing them
with improving hybrids. These pools represent an interesting basis for the development of recurrent
selection shemes ; they are now managed by the partners of the program. Also, the multiplication of
individual populations (every 10 years) is distributed over years and partners, in order to reduce the
annual cost of conservation for each member of the network.
2.2.6 Other species
Because of the diversity of actors involved in the conservation of fruit species (fruit trees and little fruit
shrubs), there is a need for coordination of all activities. The constitution of a network for fruit species
is actually thought ; it should involve partners from public research, from National Conservatories and
natural Parks, from nursery men and from organizations (AFCEV).
A network for the conservation of Pelargonium resources (about 500 sets) has been initiated in 1991.
It includes 8 partners from the company Union-France-Pelargonium and 2 private partners from the GIE
Clause-Limagrain. The company on one hand and the GIE Clause-Limagrain on the other are responsible
for the conservation of half of the collection.
Besides all these network systems, France has very large collections of national impact for several
species :