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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #408906
Research Project: Genetic Resource and Information Management for Pulse, Temperate Forage Legume, Oilseed, Vegetable, Grasses, Sugar, Ornamental, and Other Crops

Location: Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research

Title: Protecting plant germplasm from climate change

Author
item Irish, Brian

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Proceedings
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2023
Publication Date: 9/22/2023
Citation: Irish, B.M. 2023. Protecting plant germplasm from climate change. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Proceedings. NA.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Plant genetic resources (PGR) underpin the security of global agriculture. Rapid global climate change presents formidable challenges for ex situ and in situ PGR conservation efforts that operate over extended timeframes. The USDA National Plant Germplasm System maintains over 605,000 accessions representing over 16,300 plant species in 22 genebank locations. These PGR are maintained as seeds that must be periodically regenerated, or as actively growing collections in fields, greenhouses, screenhouses, in situ reserves, and in vitro. The relationships between crops and their growth environments are complex, and present unique challenges regarding their maintenance under a changing climate. Here we present potential effects of climate change on ex situ maintenance and reproductive success, pollinators and beneficial insects, pathogens and pests, infrastructure considerations, and wild populations within NPGS in situ reserves. We provide a novel online tool that presents past U.S. temperature and precipitation data and future projections that provide data that to guide ongoing planning efforts. A series of case studies exemplify instances where climate change has already impacted NPGS activities. Ongoing efforts to improve NPGS collection management in response to climate change require continued observations of the current effects, careful and innovative planning, and creative approaches to ensure that PGR are successfully maintained and available for future generations.