Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #430854
Research Project: An Integrated Approach for Plant Genetic Resources Conservation, Characterization, Evaluation, Documentation, and Distribution

Location: Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit

Title: USDA peanut germplasm collection and the international treaties

Author
item Tallury, Shyamalrau
item LEAL-BERTIOLI, SORAYA - University Of Georgia
item BERTIOLI, DAVID - University Of Georgia
item Stigura, Nicholas
item SIMPSON, CHARLES - Texas A&M Agrilife
item SEIJO, GUILLERMO - National University Of The Northeast Argentina

Submitted to: Peanut Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/21/2026
Publication Date: 6/3/2026
Citation: Tallury, S.P., Leal-Bertioli, S.C., Bertioli, D.J., Stigura, N.E., Simpson, C.E., Seijo, G.J. 2026. USDA peanut germplasm collection and the international treaties. Peanut Science. 53(1):66-76. https://doi.org/10.3146/0095-3679-53-PS1673.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3146/0095-3679-53-PS1673

Interpretive Summary: The USDA peanut germplasm collection is a national as well as a global treasure. The germplasm collection likely contains every trait for peanut improvement. The germplasm is routinely requested for research use and has contributed to the development of several important cultivars and continues to. The maintenance and availability of the germplasm collection is extremely critical for the sustenance of the U.S. peanut industry. The collection was assembled from over eight decades of germplasm expeditions and donations from other countries. However, international laws governing germplasm access and use have restricted the efforts to acquire additional peanut germplasm. This manuscript is a summary of the status of the USDA peanut germplasm collection and the implications of international regulations for new germplasm acquisition.

Technical Abstract: The USDA peanut germplasm collection was assembled over eight decades and is securely managed at the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) genebank in Griffin, GA, with a back-up collection at the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation (NLGRP) in Fort Collins, CO. This germplasm is regularly requested by researchers within the U.S. and across the globe for research use. The collection contains about 9,000 cultivated species accessions and 600 wild species accessions. It is considered a national treasure and has contributed to the development of several important peanut cultivars in the U.S. The germplasm collection is a testimony to the vision and dedication of several prominent national and international collectors with funding support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and logistic support from the host countries. Substantial support was also provided to the different collectors from their respective institutions/agencies. Germplasm accessions collected were freely shared among the collaborative parties until the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) came into force in December 1993 to restrict the free exchange. Additionally, the exclusion of peanut from the Annex 1 list of crops of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (also known as Plant Treaty) practically shut the door for new germplasm access from South America. These two events combined with other human activities such as cattle ranching and urbanization are endangering native populations in South America with irreparable loss of valuable peanut genetic diversity.