Improving reliable conservation and utilization of the horticultural plant genetic resources

The project ensures safe storage of vegetatively propagated plants selected for long-term preservation in the Finnish National Gene Bank organized in Luke and establishes practices for delivering genuine and healthy plant material. The process is piloted in the national apple gene bank. The outcomes will be implemented to other species in the national gene bank under the national PGR programme during coming years.

The development work carried out in the project will enable wider use of genetic resources in horticultural plants and contribute to the development of products and services based on genetic diversity in the society.

The project’s main objectives are to (1) increase the health status of national plant genetic resources gene bank collections, for improving safety of the preservation and sharing practices , (2) clarified process to promote utilization of the gene bank accessions among various users by providing a detailed workflow and instructions, (3) describing officially recognized description for all gene bank accessions, starting from the apple collection as a pilot, (4) adding evaluation data to the plant accessions to help users to decide what plant material they will select for their purposes, (5) improving the self-monitoring system of pests and diseases to maintain high quality gene bank collections, (6) readiness and practices to write plant-passports to be given with the delivered plant accessions by request.

The project is being carried out by a working group of scientists and technical staff involved in the implementation of the National Plant Genetic Resources Program. Needs of key stakeholders will be clarified in workshops and meetings.