National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation

Plant Germplasm Preservation Research Program

Objectives

Provide a fundamental understanding of population dynamics during ex situ conservation. Discovery of the mechanisms by which genetic diversity is captured, maintained and eroded with time will be used to:

1. develop tools to expand genebanks’ capacities to assess and efficiently capture genetic diversity
2. enhance longevity of stored germplasm
3. improve tools that validate and predict viability and genetic integrity of accessions

Approach

The PGPRU integrates mechanistic studies of survival following preservation stresses with population genetics. Physiologically and genetically diverse germplasm is used to determine how cells are damaged by or protected from low temperature, desiccation and aging stresses, develop new ways to preserve propagules, and measure health and genetic shifts during genebanking. Quantifying heterogeneity ensures that representative genetic variability is captured and maintained, preservation procedures are broadly applicable, and collection sizes are manageable. The focus on variability and mechanisms of change in genebank collections will be used in models that predict longevity and risks of genetic erosion with different conservation strategies.

Objective 1
Develop tools to expand genebanks’ capacities to assess and efficiently capture genetic diversity of plants important to US agriculture by evaluating populations and propagules that are appropriate sources of germplasm and are amenable to preservation treatments.

Goals

• Develop tools to quantify genetic diversity and its apportionment in heterogeneous populations and accessions.
• Determine the feasibility of using seeds to maintain the genetic diversity within wild populations of fruit crops.
• Identify tissues and develop in vitro culture systems that improve survival following cryoexposure or facilitate recovery and regeneration of vegetative propagules.
• Determine stability of DNA during storage and post-recovery with the immediate goal of developing storage technologies for this form of genetic resource and a future goal of developing better recovery protocols

Objective 2
Conduct research that elucidates mechanisms to prolong lifespans of stored germplasm.

Goals

• Identify possible mechanisms of damage from preservation stresses in sensitive germplasm.
• Evaluate methods to increase tolerance of propagules to preservation stresses.
• Initiate experiments to determine the genetic basis for the ability to tolerate preservation stresses.

Objective 3
Conduct research to provide improved tools that validate and predict viability and genetic integrity of accessions.

Goals

• Predict viability and storage behavior using biochemical and biophysical measurements and kinetic models.
• Determine extent of genetic shifts with mortality from cryoexposure or storage.
• Initiate experiments to determine the extent of genetic changes during regeneration cycles.

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