Theo van Hintum Preparatory Action GR, Final Conference June 9 th, 2016, Brussels
this presentation introduction ex situ conservation in the spectrum of methodologies ex situ conservation and its spectrum of actors elements of ex situ conservation assuring quality ex situ conservation standards quality management conclusions
genetic diversity needs to be conserved and made available ex situ in genebanks on-farm in traditional farms or gardens in situ in nature reserves
spectrum of PGR conservation approaches in situ on-farm ex situ conservation of common crops + +++ special crops + + CWR +++ + access to PGR material and data adaptation +++ + +++ value chain development +++ awareness raising ++ +++ +
spectrum of ex situ PGR conservation actors high global interdependence Calories in regional food supplies and their origins (Source: Khoury et al. 2015)
spectrum of ex situ PGR conservation actors high global interdependence world-wide network of genebanks Genebanks with more than 1000 accessions (Source: WIEWS 2009) (Source: Centre for Genetic Resources, WIEWS The 2009) Netherlands (CGN)
spectrum of ex situ PGR conservation actors high global interdependence world-wide network of genebanks permafrost back-up facility at Svalbard
spectrum of ex situ PGR conservation actors high global interdependence world-wide network of genebanks permafrost back-up facility at Svalbard global information infra-structure
quality is an issue maintenance of germplasm is difficult and expensive access to data and material is often second priority continuity not always guaranteed often funding on project basis limited attractiveness to funding once lost = lost for ever collaboration depends on quality and continuity
types of ex situ conservation seed genebank seeds of orthodox seeded species dryers (15 C / 15%RH) and freezers (-18 C) field genebank plants or trees of clonally propagated crops fields or pots with plants or trees in vitro culture and cryopreservation genebank plantlets or meristems of clonally propagated crops tubes in slow-growth conditions or straws in nitrogen tanks
elements ex situ conservation acquiring material deciding on collection composition collecting, buying, requesting managing physical material handling, storage, monitoring, regeneration, distribution managing information passport, phenotypic, logistic and x-omic data database, interfaces and website handling legal issues smta, NP, im- and export permits, phytosanitary statements
elements ex situ conservation standards exist FAO 2014 used as a reference at times academic not pragmatic Viability monitoring test intervals should be set at one-third of the time predicted for viability to fall to 85 percent of initial viability or lower depending on the species or specific accessions, but no longer than 40 years.
quality can be managed principles of quality management say what you do, do what you say, have someone check it additional elements stay critical, look for improvements formal quality management systems ISO 9001:2015 external quality auditing services accredited commercial companies
quality can be managed CGN first genebank to be ISO9001 certified requirement statutory research task basis for collaboration covers all CGN activities detailed Quality Manual now also IPK and several CGIAR genebanks have QMS others are interested
quality can be managed however: there is a cost to QMS increased administration reduced flexibility internal and external audits quality management will often have a low priority
conclusions conservation of PGR is a collaborative effort a range of methodologies is available ex situ is strong on the conservation and access side a global infrastructure for ex situ conservation exists ex situ methodology is well established and reliable standards exist quality and continuity of operations is vital for effectiveness and efficiency quality can and should be managed collaboration, based on quality, will increase effectiveness and efficiency
conclusions incentives are needed to stimulate collaboration (because it s not happing otherwise) coordination funds quality collaboration
There are two basic rules for giving a presentation: 1 don t tell everything feel free to ask the rest! Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands
Thank you for your attention! Genetic resources are useful, pretty and tasteful Genetic resources are the food on your plate
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