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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #211159
Title: Maximizing Regeneration Intervals in Plant Germplasm Collections

Author
item Pederson, Gary

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2007
Publication Date: 6/1/2007
Citation: Pederson, G.A. 2007. Maximizing Regeneration Intervals in Plant Germplasm Collections. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. CD-ROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plant germplasm collections contain original seed collected in the field, donated by cooperators, purchased from markets or other sources, or exchanged with other genebanks. Once the seed is obtained and designated as an accession, every effort should be made to preserve the genetic variability within the accession as it was received. Seed must be regenerated to maintain adequate seed stocks for distribution and to maintain viable seed, though this is a costly operation with a risk of loss of original genetic variability. Variability can be lost by inadequate numbers of plants for regeneration, inadequate sampling to select seed for regeneration, environmental impact during seed production, uncontrolled cross-pollination, seed production differences among plants, seed mixtures during harvesting or cleaning operations, etc. The goal of plant germplasm collections should be to maximize regeneration intervals, so that accessions are regenerated as few times as possible. This can be accomplished by: 1) Storing the bulk of seed of each accession in -18 C rather than 4 C to preserve seed used for distribution as long as possible. Samples to handle distribution needs for a few years can be maintained in 4 C and replenished as needed from bulk samples maintained in -18 C. 2) Producing enough seed to handle possible requests that will occur during the viable life of that seed to limit regeneration due to low seed numbers. 3) Distribute proper size seed samples. Users may want large numbers of seed, but genebank managers must offset this need with control of seed supply and regeneration interval. 4) Produce high quality seed during regenerations. High quality seed will remain viable much longer under cold storage than seed that is very poor in quality. All of these factors will enable regeneration intervals to be maximized.