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

Report on plant genetic resources activities in Greece
A. ZAMANIS 1 , N. STAVROPOULOS 1 , S. GALANOPOULOU 2 , C. GOULAS 2
Introduction
Systematic germplasm collections started in Greece around 1923, a few years after the rediscovery of
Mendel's laws and the foundation of scientific genetics and breeding. At that time all major crop breeding
institutes ( Cereal Institute, Cotton Institute, Institute of Fodder Crops etc.) of the country were
established.
Successful utilisation of local and introduced germplasm collections led to the development of a series
of modern varieties which made the country self-sufficient for a number of crops crucial to human and
animal nutrition and industry (wheat and other cereals, fodder, pulses, vegetables, cotton etc.) as early
as in 1957 and shortly afterwards to surplusses and exports.
However the early germplasm collections soon were lost for various reasons, most important being the
limited scientific knowledge on the proper conditions for safe long-term seed storage and the total lack
of appropriate storage facilities and equipment.
The modern era for Greece regarding genetic resources conservation began in 1981 with the
establishment by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Greek Gene Bank in the Agricultural Research Centre
of Makedonia and Thraki. This new establishment was amply supported in the first 5 years of its
operation by UNDP, FAO, IBPGR and ECP/GR, for the construction and provision of the necessary
facilities and equipment, for the training of its scientific staff and for carrying urgent germplasm rescue
expeditions on priority crops.
Greek Gene Bank ( GGB ) constitutes today the scientific and administrative organ of the Ministry of
Agriculture for the coordination and implementation of the national policies in the sector of Plant
Genetic Resources. To this end it collaborates closely with all crop plant Institutes of the ministry and
develops links with the major relevant University departments of the country. Recently contacts have
been made with certain non-govermental organisations involved with closely related issues (protection
of nature, environment etc. such as Goulandri Museum,WWF, etc.).
Authors' addresses:
1
National Agricultural Research Foundation (NAGREF)
Agricultural Research Centre of Macedonia and Thraki
Greek Gene Bank
P.O. Box 312
57001 Thermi-Thessaloniki
Greece
2
Faculty of Agriculture, Crop and Animal Production
School of Production Sciences
University of Thessalia
Pedion Areos
383 34 Volos
Greece