Evaluation of gene bank material

Light blue DNA strings on dark blue background. Illustration.

Evaluation of gene bank material after 30 years storage

Project leader: Svein 0ivind Solberg, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
svein.solberg@inn.no

Period: 2018-2019

Publications:

Articles
Long-Term Storage and Longevity of Orthodox Seeds: A Systematic Review

Seed Germination after 30 Years Storage in Permafrost

 

Reports
The network participated in the report
Seed Longevity and Survival of Seed Borne Diseases after 30 Years Conservation in Permafrost
Report from the 100 Year Storage experiment
 
…and to the report
40 Years of Nordic Collaboration in Plant Genetic Resources


Purpose

The project will strengthen the Nordic position in Europe in the field of seed science research. Synergies will increase within the Nordic region as participating institutions will work for a common goal and with concrete publication and Horizon 2020 application tasks. The project will involve young researchers and as such contribute to future Nordic
collaboration opportunities. The Nordic Genetic Resource Center is one participating organisation and this institution has 40 years af experience in Nordic collaboration and with shared conservation and distribution facilities.

Long term aim

The long-term aim (addressed in an EU application) is a digital tool for predicting seed longevity that can be used by gene bank managers and the seed industry all over the world. Such a tool could reduce the costs of gene banks (by avoiding too frequent viability checks) and improve the long-term regeneration planning.

A digital tool should be built on empirical data, not only from the 100-years trial, but from numerous data collected from gene banks around the world. Partner institutions in an EU application would, in addition to the current Nordic network institutions, be the Royal Botanic Garden Key (England), Center for Genetic Resources Wageningen,
(the Netherlands), IPK Gateslaben (Germany) and national gene banks in for example Portugal, Hungary and the Czech republic.

Final report (PDF)