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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #390948
Research Project: Conservation, Characterization, Evaluation, and Distribution of Grain, Oilseed, Vegetable, Subtropical and Tropical Legume, and Warm Season Grass Genetic Resources and Associated Information

Location: Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit

Title: Global strategy for the conservation and use of eggplants

Author
item SOLBERG, SVEIN - Western Norway University Of Applied Sciences
item VAN ZONNEVELD, MARTIN - The World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) - Taiwan
item RAKHA, MOHAMED - Mansoura University
item TAHER, DALIA - Horticulture Research Institute
item PROHENS, JAIME - Polytechnical University Of Valencia
item Jarret, Robert - Bob
item VAN DOOIJEWEERT, WILLEM - Wageningen University And Research Center
item GIOVANNINI, PETER - The Crop Trust

Submitted to: Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2022
Publication Date: 5/2/2022
Citation: Solberg, S.O., Van Zonneveld, M., Rakha, M.T., Taher, D.I., Prohens, J., Jarret, R.L., Van Dooijeweert, W., Giovannini, P. 2022. Global strategy for the conservation and use of eggplants. Workshop Proceedings. https://edepot.wur.nl/576163.

Interpretive Summary: Eggplant is a vegetable crop grown in many countries for its large soft fruits. This crop is popular and is cultivated on millions of acres each year. Breeding efforts to improve the quality and yield of eggplant take place in programs around the globe. Each of these programs depends on the availability of raw plant materials (germplasm) of eggplant that are maintained in crop genebanks. This report describes the results of a survey of those locations that hold eggplant germplasm in trust, and provides an overview of the current situation regarding the conservation and use of eggplant crop germplasm. Several database were used to acquire general information on existing eggplant collections. This identified 109 collections. The survey identified several challenges related to the continued conservation and use of eggplant. Insufficient funding and staff shortages were frequently noted. A need to improve documentation and information management were also note a requiring improvement.

Technical Abstract: Common eggplant is a vegetable crop grown for its soft fruits used in cooking. According to statistics to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization the global production is carried out on 1.8 mill ha. Breeding and research on eggplant is carried out in many countries and germplasm collection also exist in many places. For the present study, we overview the current situation in conservation and use of eggplant diversity with the aim of providing a strategy document for the future. First we surveyed the global databases Genesys and WIEWS for existing eggplant ex situ collections. A total of 109 collections of eggplants were identified. Each of them was contacted for an online survey on the collection status and challenges. We received 32 responses. The survey identified several challenges related to the sustainability of the conservation and use of eggplant. Shortages in the financial situation and number of staff was seen as a major treat in many of the countries. In addition, to get new and young people interested and to collaborate across borders and institutions were mentioned as opportunities. Documentation and information are also important to enhance.