Rethinking the approach to viability monitoring in seed genebanks.

ABSTRACT: Seed viability monitoring, usually through a germination test, is a key aspect of genebank management; a low viability result triggers the regeneration of an accession in order to ensure that the genetic diversity of the accession is conserved and available for distribution. However, regular viability monitoring of large collections is costly in terms of seeds, labour and other resources. Genebanks differ in how they conduct their viability monitoring and how they collect, manage and store the data that are generated. In this article, we propose alternatives to the current norm of conducting an initial germination test soon after arrival at the genebank and then testing after regular, set storage intervals, as recommended in the Food and Agriculture Organization's Genebank Standards for Pl

SUBMITTER: Hay FR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5356937 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature