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

and the Netherlands for cooperative programmes in plant genetic resources. The programme
started with a joint programme for wild tuber bearing species of potato, located at the FAL,
Germany, and headed by a Dutch scientist. In 1985 the programme was expanded with a joint
activity in Beta. Recently this programme was also expanded with Brasssica.
2. Collection strategy
2.1 Acquisition of germplasm
Since its establishment the CGN has been provided with a substantial number of germplasm
collections by breeding institutes of the Department of Agricultural Research (DLO) and
Wageningen Agricultural University Wageningen (WAU) both in the Netherlands. These
collections represent the larger part of the present collections totalling approximately 14,511
accessions divided over 18 different crops. Selective broadening of the collections was realized
with material from commercial seed firms, notably cultivated material. Wild material was usually
obtained from other genebanks, botanical gardens and informal collecting activities. Recently
(1990-1993), the CGN has participated in missions in the USSR and Turkey to collect Beta,
Allium and Lactuca species. Additional collecting has taken place in Spain, Portugal and further
north, along the Atlantic coast of western Europe. Starting in 1993, wild species of potato will
be collected in the Andes in cooperation with CIP and Sturgeon Bay (USA). In the future more
collection missions will probably be undertaken to collect wild (related) species and primitive
landraces of various crops.
Newly introduced material is first issued a provisional receipt number. A new sample is included
in the collections when it enhances the existing collection in terms of genetic variation and enough
viable seeds are obtained to assure proper conservation and distribution to users. In general,
hybrid varieties are not included. For certain crops this means that only old varieties qualify for
inclusion. When a sample is admitted, it receives a CGN number and its provisional receipt
number is discarded. Rejected samples are discarded, but the information on these samples is
summarized and remains available within the genebank information system. By keeping a record
of every receipt number that is issued, whether it is included in the collection or not, the history
of every sample can be reconstructed. This leaves no doubts on what has happened to the
material.
2.2 CGN collections
Three main types of collections are distinguished: base, active and duplicate collections (see
table 1).
- Base collection
The main objective of a base collection is to represent the overall genetic diversity of a certain
group of plants and to assure its availability for an unlimited period of time. It concerns crops
for which CGN has accepted international responsibilities in the context of the worldwide
network of base collections. This network is coordinated by the International Board for Plant
Genetic Resources (IBPGR) in Rome, Italy.
- Active collection
Active collections contain accessions representing a specific part of known genetic diversity
for a certain group of plants. The primary objective of the collection is to cater to specific
breeding objectives.