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Engels JMM, Ebert AW, van Hintum T. Collaboration between Private and Public Genebanks in Conserving and Using Plant Genetic Resources. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:247. [PMID: 38256800 PMCID: PMC10818788 DOI: 10.3390/plants13020247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Among the most important users of plant genetic resources, conserved predominantly in public genebanks around the world, are public and private plant breeders. Through their breeding efforts, they contribute significantly to global, regional, and local food and nutrition security. Plant breeders need genetic diversity to be able to develop competitive new varieties that are adapted to the changing environmental conditions and suit the needs of consumers. To ensure continued and timely access to the genetic resources that contain the required characteristics and traits, plant breeders established working collections with breeding materials and germplasm for the crops they were breeding. However, with the changing and increasingly more restrictive access conditions, triggered by new global legal instruments like the Convention on Biological Diversity/Nagoya Protocol and the International Treaty, plant breeders started to establish their own genebanks at the turn of the 21st century. This paper analyses the conditions that contributed to this situation as well as the historical ways that plant breeders used to acquire the germplasm they needed. Public genebanks played and continue to play a conducive role in providing genetic resources to users, including private-sector plant breeders. However, also the practices of the germplasm curators to collect and distribute germplasm were affected by the new legal framework that had been developed in global fora. It is against this background that the complementarity and collaboration between public and private sector genebanks have been assessed. Whenever possible, vegetable genetic resources and vegetable private breeding companies have been used to analyze and illustrate such collaboration. The authors look at reported successful examples of collaborative efforts and consider opportunities and approaches under which such collaboration can be established and strengthened to ensure the continued availability of the building blocks for food and nutrition security.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Theo van Hintum
- Centre for Genetic Resources, The Netherlands (CGN), Wageningen University & Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands;
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2
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Hu X, Hurtado-Gonzales OP, Adhikari BN, French-Monar RD, Malapi M, Foster JA, McFarland CD. PhytoPipe: a phytosanitary pipeline for plant pathogen detection and diagnosis using RNA-seq data. BMC Bioinformatics 2023; 24:470. [PMID: 38093207 PMCID: PMC10717670 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-023-05589-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Detection of exotic plant pathogens and preventing their entry and establishment are critical for the protection of agricultural systems while securing the global trading of agricultural commodities. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) has been applied successfully for plant pathogen discovery, leading to its current application in routine pathogen detection. However, the analysis of massive amounts of HTS data has become one of the major challenges for the use of HTS more broadly as a rapid diagnostics tool. Several bioinformatics pipelines have been developed to handle HTS data with a focus on plant virus and viroid detection. However, there is a need for an integrative tool that can simultaneously detect a wider range of other plant pathogens in HTS data, such as bacteria (including phytoplasmas), fungi, and oomycetes, and this tool should also be capable of generating a comprehensive report on the phytosanitary status of the diagnosed specimen. RESULTS We have developed an open-source bioinformatics pipeline called PhytoPipe (Phytosanitary Pipeline) to provide the plant pathology diagnostician community with a user-friendly tool that integrates analysis and visualization of HTS RNA-seq data. PhytoPipe includes quality control of reads, read classification, assembly-based annotation, and reference-based mapping. The final product of the analysis is a comprehensive report for easy interpretation of not only viruses and viroids but also bacteria (including phytoplasma), fungi, and oomycetes. PhytoPipe is implemented in Snakemake workflow with Python 3 and bash scripts in a Linux environment. The source code for PhytoPipe is freely available and distributed under a BSD-3 license. CONCLUSIONS PhytoPipe provides an integrative bioinformatics pipeline that can be used for the analysis of HTS RNA-seq data. PhytoPipe is easily installed on a Linux or Mac system and can be conveniently used with a Docker image, which includes all dependent packages and software related to analyses. It is publicly available on GitHub at https://github.com/healthyPlant/PhytoPipe and on Docker Hub at https://hub.docker.com/r/healthyplant/phytopipe .
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Hu
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program (PGQP), Beltsville, MD, USA.
| | - Oscar P Hurtado-Gonzales
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program (PGQP), Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Bishwo N Adhikari
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program (PGQP), Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Ronald D French-Monar
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program (PGQP), Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Martha Malapi
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program (PGQP), Beltsville, MD, USA
- American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - Joseph A Foster
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program (PGQP), Beltsville, MD, USA
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3
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Halewood M, Bagley MA, Wyss M, Scholz AH. New benefit-sharing principles for digital sequence information. Science 2023; 382:520-522. [PMID: 37917709 DOI: 10.1126/science.adj1331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Benefit sharing should be decoupled from access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Halewood
- Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Markus Wyss
- DSM Nutritional Products Ltd, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
| | - Amber Hartman Scholz
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ, German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
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4
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Polishchuk TP, Hudzenko VM. Inheritance of kernel number per spike in F1 of spring barley obtained from crossings of cultivars of different origin, purpose of use and botanical varieties. PLANT VARIETIES STUDYING AND PROTECTION 2022. [DOI: 10.21498/2518-1017.18.3.2022.269023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Purpose. To reveal the peculiarities of inheritance of kernel number per spike in crosses of spring barley cultivars of different origin, purpose of use and botanical varieties, as well as to distinguish effective genetic sources for improving the trait.
Methods. The study was carried out at the M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine in 2019 and 2020. In F1 of spring barley in two diallel crossing schemes the degree of phenotypic dominance, parameters of genetic variation, and combining ability for kernel number per spike were determined. Results. According to the indicator of the degree of phenotypic dominance, all possible types of inheritance of kernel number per spike were identified. In a number of crossing compositions, a change in the type of inheritance depending on the conditions of the year was revealed. Most combinations with overdominance in both years were noted in crossings of the covered awned cultivar ‘Avgur’, as well as the covered awnless cultivar ‘Kozyr’. According to the parameters of genetic variation in crosses of malting varieties (covered awned), correspondence of the additive-dominant model, overdominance and dominance in loci, as well as unidirectional dominance to increasing of the trait caused by dominant effects were revealed. When crossing cultivars of different varieties, a change in gene action in different years was found. In particular, additive-dominant system changed to complementary epistasis, incomplete dominance to overdominance, unidirectional dominance to increasing of the trait to multidirectional dominance. The genetic sources of increased general combining ability were identified, as follows: covered awned malting cultivars ‘Quench’ and ‘Avgur’, the naked awned cultivar ‘CDC Rattan’, as well as the covered awnless cultivar ‘Kozyr’. Based on the constants of specific combining ability, the most promising crossing combinations for further breeding efforts were determined.
Conclusions. The identified peculiarities of the inheritance of kernel number per spike make it possible to optimally combine parental components of crossings and carry out directional selection to increase the trait when developing spring barley cultivars for different use and different botanical varieties.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. P. Polishchuk
- The V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat, NAAS of Ukraine, Ukraine
| | - V. M. Hudzenko
- The V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat, NAAS of Ukraine, Ukraine
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Hudzenko VM, Buniak NM, Tsentylo LV, Demydov OA, Fedorenko IV, Fedorenko MV, Ishchenko VA, Kozelets HM, Khudolii LV, Lashuk SO, Syplyva NO. Evaluation of grain yield performance and its stability in various spring barley accessions under condition of different agroclimatic zones of Ukraine. BIOSYSTEMS DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.15421/012240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Two extremely urgent problems of biological and agronomic research nowadays are ensuring an optimal balance between usage of natural resources to meet rapidly growing needs for food production and preservation of biodiversity. It is also important to extend the genetic diversity of the main crop varieties in agroecosystems. At the same time, modern varieties should be characterized by a combination of high yield and preserving yield stability under variable conditions. Solving the outlined tasks requires comprehensive research and involvement in breeding process of the genetical diversity concentrated in genebanks of the world. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the most important crops that satisfy the various needs of humanity. In respect to this, in 2020–2022, a multi-environment trial was conducted in three agroclimatic zones of Ukraine (Forest-Steppe, Polissia, and Northern Steppe). We studied 44 spring barley collection accessions of different ecological and geographical origin, different subspecies and groups of botanical varieties which were obtained from the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine. Statistical indices (Hom, Sc) and graphical models (GGE biplot, AMMI) were used to interpret the yield performance and its stability. Both individual ecological sites in different years and combinations of different sites and years of trials were characterized for productivity, discriminating power and representativeness. The environments differed quite strongly among themselves in terms of these indicators. It was established that most of the genotypes were characterized by higher adaptability to individual environmental conditions (stability in different years), compared to adaptability for all agroclimatic zones (wide adaptation). A strong cross-over genotype by environment interaction was found for most studied accessions. Nevertheless, both genotypes with very high stability in only one agroclimatic zone (Amil (UKR), Gateway (CAN)) and genotypes with a combination of high adaptability to one or two ecological niches and relatively higher wide adaptability (Stymul (UKR), Ly-1064 (UKR), Rannij (KAZ), Shedevr (UKR), and Arthur (CZE)) were identified. There were also the accessions which did not show maximum performance in the individual sites, but had relatively higher wide adaptability (Ly-1059 (UKR), Ly-1120 (UKR), Diantus (UKR), and Danielle (CZE)). In general, the naked barley genotypes were inferior to the covered ones in terms of yield potential and wide adaptability, but at the same time, some of them (CDC ExPlus (CAN), CDC Gainer (CAN), and Roseland (CAN)), accordingly to the statistical indicators, had increased stability in certain ecological sites. Among naked barley accessions relatively better wide adaptability according to the graphical analysis was found in the accession CDC McGwire (CAN), and by the statistical parameters CDC ExPlus (CAN) was better than standard. The peculiarities of yield manifestation and its variability in different spring barley genotypes in the multi-environment trial revealed in this study will contribute to the complementation and deepening of existing data in terms of the genotype by environment interaction. Our results can be used in further studies for developing spring barley variety models both with specific and wide adaptation under conditions of different agroclimatic zones of Ukraine. The disitnguished accessions of different origin and botanical affiliation are recommended for creating a new breeding material with the aim of simultaneously increasing yield potential and stability, as well as widening the genetic basis of spring barley varieties.
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Ramirez-Villegas J, Khoury CK, Achicanoy HA, Diaz MV, Mendez AC, Sosa CC, Kehel Z, Guarino L, Abberton M, Aunario J, Awar BA, Alarcon JC, Amri A, Anglin NL, Azevedo V, Aziz K, Capilit GL, Chavez O, Chebotarov D, Costich DE, Debouck DG, Ellis D, Falalou H, Fiu A, Ghanem ME, Giovannini P, Goungoulou AJ, Gueye B, Hobyb AIE, Jamnadass R, Jones CS, Kpeki B, Lee JS, McNally KL, Muchugi A, Ndjiondjop MN, Oyatomi O, Payne TS, Ramachandran S, Rossel G, Roux N, Ruas M, Sansaloni C, Sardos J, Setiyono TD, Tchamba M, van den Houwe I, Velazquez JA, Venuprasad R, Wenzl P, Yazbek M, Zavala C. State of ex situ conservation of landrace groups of 25 major crops. NATURE PLANTS 2022; 8:491-499. [PMID: 35534721 PMCID: PMC9122826 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-022-01144-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Crop landraces have unique local agroecological and societal functions and offer important genetic resources for plant breeding. Recognition of the value of landrace diversity and concern about its erosion on farms have led to sustained efforts to establish ex situ collections worldwide. The degree to which these efforts have succeeded in conserving landraces has not been comprehensively assessed. Here we modelled the potential distributions of eco-geographically distinguishable groups of landraces of 25 cereal, pulse and starchy root/tuber/fruit crops within their geographic regions of diversity. We then analysed the extent to which these landrace groups are represented in genebank collections, using geographic and ecological coverage metrics as a proxy for genetic diversity. We find that ex situ conservation of landrace groups is currently moderately comprehensive on average, with substantial variation among crops; a mean of 63% ± 12.6% of distributions is currently represented in genebanks. Breadfruit, bananas and plantains, lentils, common beans, chickpeas, barley and bread wheat landrace groups are among the most fully represented, whereas the largest conservation gaps persist for pearl millet, yams, finger millet, groundnut, potatoes and peas. Geographic regions prioritized for further collection of landrace groups for ex situ conservation include South Asia, the Mediterranean and West Asia, Mesoamerica, sub-Saharan Africa, the Andean mountains of South America and Central to East Asia. With further progress to fill these gaps, a high degree of representation of landrace group diversity in genebanks is feasible globally, thus fulfilling international targets for their ex situ conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Ramirez-Villegas
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia.
- CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Cali, Colombia.
- Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Colin K Khoury
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia.
- San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, CA, USA.
| | | | | | - Andres C Mendez
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia
| | - Chrystian C Sosa
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia
- Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, Cali, Colombia
- Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Zakaria Kehel
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat, Morocco
| | | | - Michael Abberton
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Jorrel Aunario
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Bashir Al Awar
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Ahmed Amri
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat, Morocco
| | - Noelle L Anglin
- International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, Peru
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Aberdeen, ID, USA
| | - Vania Azevedo
- International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, Peru
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India
| | - Khadija Aziz
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat, Morocco
| | - Grace Lee Capilit
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | | | - Dmytro Chebotarov
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Denise E Costich
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Texcoco, México
| | - Daniel G Debouck
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia
| | - David Ellis
- International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, Peru
| | - Hamidou Falalou
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Niamey, Niger
| | - Albert Fiu
- Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT), Narere, Fiji
| | | | | | | | - Badara Gueye
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Amal Ibn El Hobyb
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Rabat, Morocco
| | | | - Chris S Jones
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Jae-Sung Lee
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Kenneth L McNally
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Alice Muchugi
- International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Olaniyi Oyatomi
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Thomas S Payne
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Texcoco, México
| | - Senthil Ramachandran
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, India
| | | | | | - Max Ruas
- Bioversity International, Montpellier, France
| | - Carolina Sansaloni
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Texcoco, México
| | | | - Tri Deri Setiyono
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
- Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Marimagne Tchamba
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Peter Wenzl
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia
| | - Mariana Yazbek
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Cristian Zavala
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Texcoco, México
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7
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Gibson AK. Genetic diversity and disease: The past, present, and future of an old idea. Evolution 2022; 76:20-36. [PMID: 34796478 PMCID: PMC9064374 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Why do infectious diseases erupt in some host populations and not others? This question has spawned independent fields of research in evolution, ecology, public health, agriculture, and conservation. In the search for environmental and genetic factors that predict variation in parasitism, one hypothesis stands out for its generality and longevity: genetically homogeneous host populations are more likely to experience severe parasitism than genetically diverse populations. In this perspective piece, I draw on overlapping ideas from evolutionary biology, agriculture, and conservation to capture the far-reaching implications of the link between genetic diversity and disease. I first summarize the development of this hypothesis and the results of experimental tests. Given the convincing support for the protective effect of genetic diversity, I then address the following questions: (1) Where has this idea been put to use, in a basic and applied sense, and how can we better use genetic diversity to limit disease spread? (2) What new hypotheses does the established disease-diversity relationship compel us to test? I conclude that monitoring, preserving, and augmenting genetic diversity is one of our most promising evolutionarily informed strategies for buffering wild, domesticated, and human populations against future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Kyle Gibson
- Department of Biology University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia 22903
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8
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Lusty C, Sackville Hamilton R, Guarino L, Richards C, Jamora N, Hawtin G. Envisaging an Effective Global Long-Term Agrobiodiversity Conservation System That Promotes and Facilitates Use. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10122764. [PMID: 34961233 PMCID: PMC8706931 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Genebanks were established out of a recognised need not just to provide genetic variation to support breeding objectives but to prevent crop diversity from being lost entirely for future users. Such conservation objectives may have led, over the past few decades, to a gradually diminishing connection between genebanks and current users of diversity. While there continues to be large-scale distribution of germplasm from genebanks to recipients worldwide, relatively little is known or published about the detailed trends in the demand for genebank materials. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of the applications and uses of modern genomic technologies and approaches is, undoubtedly, having a transformational impact on breeding, research and the demand for certain genetic resources and associated data. These trends will require genebanks to be responsive and to adapt. They also provide important opportunities for genebanks to reorganize and become more efficient individually and as a community. Ultimately, future challenges and opportunities are likely to drive more demand for genetic diversity and provide an important basis for genebanks to gear up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lusty
- Global Crop Diversity Trust, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 7, 53113 Bonn, Germany; (R.S.H.); (L.G.); (N.J.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Luigi Guarino
- Global Crop Diversity Trust, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 7, 53113 Bonn, Germany; (R.S.H.); (L.G.); (N.J.)
| | - Chris Richards
- USDA National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation, 1111 South Mason Street, Colorado State University Campus, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA;
| | - Nelissa Jamora
- Global Crop Diversity Trust, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 7, 53113 Bonn, Germany; (R.S.H.); (L.G.); (N.J.)
| | - Geoffrey Hawtin
- Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, Via di San Domenico, 1, 00153 Rome, Italy;
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Lusty C, van Beem J, Hay FR. A Performance Management System for Long-Term Germplasm Conservation in CGIAR Genebanks: Aiming for Quality, Efficiency and Improvement. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10122627. [PMID: 34961098 PMCID: PMC8709014 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 Target 2.5 focuses on the conservation of genetic diversity in soundly managed genebanks. In examining the term “soundly managed”, it becomes quickly evident that there is much more to long-term conservation than placing samples of seeds or other germplasm in long-term conservation conditions. There are several important factors that determine whether germplasm samples will remain viable in storage for long periods of time. To manage these factors efficiently and effectively, genebanks require sound data and quality management systems. The CGIAR Genebank Platform, coordinated by the Crop Trust, put in place a number of mechanisms that enabled effective online reporting, performance management, quality management, audit and external review and validation. These mechanisms do not conform to the usual monitoring systems put in place for research programs and have only been possible thanks to the flexibility of CGIAR in recognising that the genebanks were exceptional. As a result, in the past 10 years, CGIAR genebanks have significantly improved their performance and the conservation status of collections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lusty
- Global Crop Diversity Trust, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 7, 53113 Bonn, Germany;
- Correspondence:
| | - Janny van Beem
- Global Crop Diversity Trust, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 7, 53113 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Fiona R. Hay
- Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Forsøgsvej 1, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark;
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10
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Engels JMM, Ebert AW. A Critical Review of the Current Global Ex Situ Conservation System for Plant Agrobiodiversity. II. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Current System and Recommendations for Its Improvement. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:1904. [PMID: 34579439 PMCID: PMC8472064 DOI: 10.3390/plants10091904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we review gene bank operations that have an influence on the global conservation system, with the intention to identify critical aspects that should be improved for optimum performance. We describe the role of active and base collections and the importance of linking germplasm conservation and use, also in view of new developments in genomics and phenomics that facilitate more effective and efficient conservation and use of plant agrobiodiversity. Strengths, limitations, and opportunities of the existing global ex situ conservation system are discussed, and measures are proposed to achieve a rational, more effective, and efficient global system for germplasm conservation and sustainable use. The proposed measures include filling genetic and geographic gaps in current ex situ collections; determining unique accessions at the global level for long-term conservation in virtual base collections; intensifying existing international collaborations among gene banks and forging collaborations with the botanic gardens community; increasing investment in conservation research and user-oriented supportive research; improved accession-level description of the genetic diversity of crop collections; improvements of the legal and policy framework; and oversight of the proposed network of global base collections.
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Engels JMM, Ebert AW. A Critical Review of the Current Global Ex Situ Conservation System for Plant Agrobiodiversity. I. History of the Development of the Global System in the Context of the Political/Legal Framework and Its Major Conservation Components. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:1557. [PMID: 34451602 PMCID: PMC8401695 DOI: 10.3390/plants10081557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The history of ex situ conservation is relatively short, not more than a century old. During the middle of last century, triggered by the realization that genetic erosion was threatening the existing landraces and wild relatives of the major food crops, global efforts to collect and conserve the genetic diversity of these threatened resources were initiated, predominantly orchestrated by FAO. National and international genebanks were established to store and maintain germplasm materials, conservation methodologies were created, standards developed, and coordinating efforts were put in place to ensure effective and efficient approaches and collaboration. In the spontaneously developing global conservation system, plant breeders played an important role, aiming at the availability of genetic diversity in their breeding work. Furthermore, long-term conservation and the safety of the collected materials were the other two overriding criteria that led to the emerging international network of ex situ base collections. The political framework for the conservation of plant genetic resources finds its roots in the International Undertaking of the FAO and became 'turbulent rapid' with the conclusion of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This paper reviews the history of the global ex situ conservation system with a focus on the international network of base collections. It assesses the major ex situ conservation approaches and methods with their strengths and weaknesses with respect to the global conservation system and highlights the importance of combining in situ and ex situ conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas W. Ebert
- World Vegetable Center, 60 Yi-Min Liao, Shanhua, Tainan 74151, Taiwan;
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Germplasm Conservation: Instrumental in Agricultural Biodiversity—A Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13126743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Germplasm is a valuable natural resource that provides knowledge about the genetic composition of a species and is crucial for conserving plant diversity. Germplasm protection strategies not only involve rescuing plant species threatened with extinction, but also help preserve all essential plants, on which rests the survival of all organisms. The successful use of genetic resources necessitates their diligent collection, storage, analysis, documentation, and exchange. Slow growth cultures, cryopreservation, pollen and DNA banks, botanical gardens, genetic reserves, and farmers’ fields are a few germplasm conservation techniques being employed. However, the adoption of in-vitro techniques with any chance of genetic instability could lead to the destruction of the entire substance, but the improved understanding of basic regeneration biology would, in turn, undoubtedly increase the capacity to regenerate new plants, thus expanding selection possibilities. Germplasm conservation seeks to conserve endangered and vulnerable plant species worldwide for future proliferation and development; it is also the bedrock of agricultural production.
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McEwan MA, Almekinders CJM, Andrade-Piedra JJL, Delaquis E, Garrett KA, Kumar L, Mayanja S, Omondi BA, Rajendran S, Thiele G. "Breaking through the 40% adoption ceiling: Mind the seed system gaps." A perspective on seed systems research for development in One CGIAR. OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE 2021; 50:5-12. [PMID: 33867584 PMCID: PMC8022077 DOI: 10.1177/0030727021989346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Seed systems research is central to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Improved varieties with promise for ending hunger, improving nutrition, and increasing livelihood security may be released, but how do they reach and benefit different types of farmers? Without widespread adoption the genetic gains achieved with improved crop varieties can never be actualized. Progress has been made toward demand responsive breeding, however the draft CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy fails to recognize the complexity of seed systems and thus presents a narrow vision for the future of seed systems research. This points to the lack of evidence-based dialogue between seed systems researchers and breeders. This perspective paper presents findings from an interdisciplinary group of more than 50 CGIAR scientists who used a suite of seed systems tools to identify four knowledge gaps and associated insights from work on the seed systems for vegetatively propagated crops (VPCs), focusing on bananas (especially cooking bananas and plantains), cassava, potato, sweetpotato, and yam. We discuss the implications for thinking about and intervening in seed systems using a combined biophysical and socioeconomic perspective and how this can contribute to increased varietal adoption and benefits to farmers. The tools merit wider use, not only for the seed systems of VPCs, but for the seed of crops facing similar adoption challenges. We argue for deeper collaboration between seed systems researchers, breeders and national seed system stakeholders to address these and other knowledge gaps and generate the evidence and innovations needed to break through the 40% adoption ceiling for modern varieties, and ensure good quality seed once the new varieties have been adopted. Without this, the achievements of breeders may remain stuck in the seed delivery pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A McEwan
- International Potato Center (CIP), Nairobi, Kenya
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
- Knowledge Technology and Innovation Chair Group, Social Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Conny JM Almekinders
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
- Knowledge Technology and Innovation Chair Group, Social Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jorge JL Andrade-Piedra
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
- International Potato Center, Lima, Peru
| | - Erik Delaquis
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Vientiane, Lao P.D.R
| | - Karen A Garrett
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
- Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Lava Kumar
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Sarah Mayanja
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
- International Potato Center (CIP), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bonaventure A Omondi
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
- Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Srinivasulu Rajendran
- International Potato Center (CIP), Nairobi, Kenya
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
| | - Graham Thiele
- CGIAR Research Program on Roots Tubers and Bananas, Lima, Peru
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Phytosanitary Interventions for Safe Global Germplasm Exchange and the Prevention of Transboundary Pest Spread: The Role of CGIAR Germplasm Health Units. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10020328. [PMID: 33572058 PMCID: PMC7915052 DOI: 10.3390/plants10020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The inherent ability of seeds (orthodox, intermediate, and recalcitrant seeds and vegetative propagules) to serve as carriers of pests and pathogens (hereafter referred to as pests) and the risk of transboundary spread along with the seed movement present a high-risk factor for international germplasm distribution activities. Quarantine and phytosanitary procedures have been established by many countries around the world to minimize seed-borne pest spread by screening export and import consignments of germplasm. The effectiveness of these time-consuming and cost-intensive procedures depends on the knowledge of pest distribution, availability of diagnostic tools for seed health testing, qualified operators, procedures for inspection, and seed phytosanitation. This review describes a unique multidisciplinary approach used by the CGIAR Germplasm Health Units (GHUs) in ensuring phytosanitary protection for the safe conservation and global movement of germplasm from the 11 CGIAR genebanks and breeding programs that acquire and distribute germplasm to and from all parts of the world for agricultural research and food security. We also present the challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations stemming from the experience of GHUs, which collaborate with the national quarantine systems to export and distribute about 100,000 germplasm samples annually to partners located in about 90 to 100 countries. Furthermore, we describe how GHUs adjust their procedures to stay in alignment with evolving phytosanitary regulations and pest risk scenarios. In conclusion, we state the benefits of globally coordinated phytosanitary networks for the prevention of the intercontinental spread of pests that are transmissible through plant propagation materials.
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Witzel K, Kurina AB, Artemyeva AM. Opening the Treasure Chest: The Current Status of Research on Brassica oleracea and B. rapa Vegetables From ex situ Germplasm Collections. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:643047. [PMID: 34093606 PMCID: PMC8173032 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.643047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Germplasm collections reflect the genetic variability in crops and their wild relatives. Hence, those genetic resources are tremendously valuable for breeders and researchers, especially in light of climatic change and stagnant crop production rates. In order to achieve improvements in crop production and end-use quality, favorable traits and donor alleles present in germplasm collections need to be identified and utilized. This review covers recent reports on the utilization of germplasm material to isolate genotypes of Brassica oleracea and B. rapa vegetables, focusing on high nutrient use efficiency, accumulation of biologically active metabolites, pest resistance, and favorable phenotypic appearance. We discuss the current state of Brassica vegetable collections in genebanks and summarize studies directed to the molecular characterization of those collections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Witzel
- Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Großbeeren, Germany
- *Correspondence: Katja Witzel,
| | - Anastasia B. Kurina
- Federal Research Center the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna M. Artemyeva
- Federal Research Center the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), St. Petersburg, Russia
- Anna M. Artemyeva,
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Ebert AW, Engels JMM. Plant Biodiversity and Genetic Resources Matter! PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 9:E1706. [PMID: 33291549 PMCID: PMC7761872 DOI: 10.3390/plants9121706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Plant biodiversity is the foundation of our present-day food supply (including functional food and medicine) and offers humankind multiple other benefits in terms of ecosystem functions and resilience to climate change, as well as other perturbations. This Special Issue on 'Plant Biodiversity and Genetic Resources' comprises 32 papers covering a wide array of aspects from the definition and identification of hotspots of wild and domesticated plant biodiversity to the specifics of conservation of genetic resources of crop genepools, including breeding and research materials, landraces and crop wild relatives which collectively are the pillars of modern plant breeding, as well as of localized breeding efforts by farmers and farming communities. The integration of genomics and phenomics into germplasm and genebank management enhances the value of crop germplasm conserved ex situ, and is likely to increase its utilization in plant breeding, but presents major challenges for data management and the sharing of this information with potential users. Furthermore, also a better integration of in situ and ex situ conservation efforts will contribute to a more effective conservation and certainly to a more sustainable and efficient utilization. Other aspects such as policy, access and benefit-sharing that directly impact the use of plant biodiversity and genetic resources, as well as balanced nutrition and enhanced resilience of production systems that depend on their increased use, are also being treated. The editorial concludes with six key messages on plant biodiversity, genetic erosion, genetic resources and plant breeding, agricultural diversification, conservation of agrobiodiversity, and the evolving role and importance of genebanks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas W. Ebert
- World Vegetable Center, 60 Yi-Min Liao, Shanhua, Tainan 74151, Taiwan
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