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Managing Large Diverse Germplasm Collections

USDA-ARS Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Unit, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164-6402
USDA-ARS Genetic Resources, 10300 Baltimore Av., Beltsville, MD 20705-2350
USDA-ARS Regional Plant Introduction Stn, Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA 50011-1010
USDA-ARS National Seed Storage Lab., Fort Collins, CO 80521-4500

^* Corresponding author (W6rc{at}ars-grin.gov).

International Agricultural Research Centers and a number of countries have assembled large collections of genetic resources managed in ex situ genebanks. In addition, some countries are managing in situ collections of selected germplasm. Pressure to reduce public funding of all government activities continues to force genebank managers to he more efficient and effective while maintaining quality factors such as high germinability, genetic integrity, and freedom from diseases and insect damage. Quality seed begins in the field at pollination time when flowers of allogamous species are bagged or caged to exclude foreign pollen. Complete seed maturation and drying before harvest provides material that will have optimal storage life. Properly maintained cold room conditions (4°C and 25–30% RH for most seeds) will ensure maximum longevity and reduce the number of regenerations necessary for each accession.

Received for publication December 11, 1995.