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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375089
Research Project: Efficient and Effective Preservation and Management of Plant and Microbial Genetic Resource Collections

Location: Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research

Title: Genetic data improve management and use of apple genebank collections

Author
item Volk, Gayle
item HOWARD, NICHOLAS - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: Chronica Horticulturae
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/29/2020
Publication Date: 9/16/2020
Citation: Volk, G.M., Howard, N.P. 2020. Genetic data improve management and use of apple genebank collections. Chronica Horticulturae. 60(3):23-27.

Interpretive Summary: Apple (Malus spp.) genebank collections conserve vast amounts of genetic diversity, including wild species, heritage, and modern cultivars. Genebanks are perhaps most often recognized as sources of novel diversity for breeding and research programs that use collections to develop new varieties that are pest and disease resistant, high quality, have high yield, and can be efficiently produced. These collections make a wide range of genetic resources available to user communities on a local, national, or international level. Genetic data have informed and aided in the management of apple genebanks by helping to understand collection content, coverage, diversity, and opportunities for end-users. Recent genetic analyses have made use of several marker types including simple sequence repeats (microsatellites), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, genome-based sequencing (GBS), as well as DNA sequence data. Availability of genetic data for genebank collections has increased their value because it has improved management practices and has guided collection users. Ongoing efforts to make genetic data for apple genebanks publicly accessible using standardized formats will improve the quality and utility of these important collections of genetic resources.

Technical Abstract: Apple (Malus spp.) genebank collections conserve vast amounts of genetic diversity, including wild species, heritage, and modern cultivars. Genebanks are perhaps most often recognized as sources of novel diversity for breeding and research programs that use collections to develop new varieties that are pest and disease resistant, high quality, have high yield, and can be efficiently produced. These collections make a wide range of genetic resources available to user communities on a local, national, or international level. Genetic data have informed and aided in the management of apple genebanks by helping to understand collection content, coverage, diversity, and opportunities for end-users. Recent genetic analyses have made use of several marker types including simple sequence repeats (microsatellites), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, genome-based sequencing (GBS), as well as DNA sequence data. Availability of genetic data for genebank collections has increased their value because it has improved management practices and has guided collection users. Ongoing efforts to make genetic data for apple genebanks publicly accessible using standardized formats will improve the quality and utility of these important collections of genetic resources.