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Title: National conservation activities on Lesquerella for ensuring species survival and germplasm availability for new crops research and development

Author
item Cruz, von Mark
item Dierig, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2010
Publication Date: 9/10/2010
Citation: Cruz, V.V., Dierig, D.A. 2010. National conservation activities on Lesquerella for ensuring species survival and germplasm availability for new crops research and development. Meeting Abstract. Colorado Native Plant Society, Denver CO, September 10-12, 2010.

Interpretive Summary: Lesquerella (Brassicaceae) are herbaceous plants native to the Americas with more than 90 different species. In the 1960’s, it was determined that valuable hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) components are abundant in its seed oils. Since the country was highly dependent on imported sources for HFAs, efforts to domesticate Lesquerella and research activities on the genus were initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Long-term research on the genus has resulted to several promising advanced lines with superior characteristics. The development of these lines was made possible by the availability of diverse germplasm providing breeders the best traits resulting from combinations within species and between different species. Conservation efforts to assemble and preserve the intrinsic diversity in wild populations found in various states including Colorado, have been ongoing. From the initial 25 species assembled in the 1960’s, there are currently more than 70 species of the genus already in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System and are represented by more than 800 accessions. This will help ensure the availability of raw materials for crop improvement and scientific research, as well as towards safeguarding their loss in the wild due to numerous human and natural factors.

Technical Abstract: Lesquerella (Brassicaceae) are herbaceous plants native to the Americas with more than 90 different species. In the 1960’s, it was determined that valuable hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) components are abundant in its seed oils. Since the country was highly dependent on imported sources for HFAs, efforts to domesticate Lesquerella and research activities on the genus were initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Long-term research on the genus has resulted to several promising advanced lines with superior characteristics. The development of these lines was made possible by the availability of diverse germplasm providing breeders the best traits resulting from combinations within species and between different species. Conservation efforts to assemble and preserve the intrinsic diversity in wild populations found in various states including Colorado, have been ongoing. From the initial 25 species assembled in the 1960’s, there are currently more than 70 species of the genus already in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System and are represented by more than 800 accessions. This will help ensure the availability of raw materials for crop improvement and scientific research, as well as towards safeguarding their loss in the wild due to numerous human and natural factors.