Conservation of Fruit Tree Genetic Resources and Their Use in the Breeding Process

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihai Botu ◽  
Ion Botu ◽  
Gheorghe Achim ◽  
Silvia Preda ◽  
Anca Scutelnicu ◽  
...  

Abstract Conservation of fruit tree biodiversity is important for the mankind according to the Convention on Biological Diversity. In Romania, due to favorable environmental conditions, numerous genetic resources of plum, apple, walnut, hazelnut, sweet chestnut and other fruit crops are present. Identification, evaluation and conservation of fruit genetic resources activities were launched in 1970’ in order to limit the loss of the biodiversity due to erosion and genetic vulnerability. Fruit Growing Research & Extension Station (SCDP) of Valcea, which is belonging now to the University of Craiova, was assigned to deal with conservation of genetic resources for the Prunus, Juglans, Corylus and Castanea genera. As result, national hazelnut collection, the sweet chestnut collection and a part of the plum and walnut national collections are located here. Genetic resources of Malus, Pyrus, Sambucus, Carya and Salix are hold in the active collections too. The ex situ collections include 1160 accessions, out of those 48 species, 533 cultivars and 565 other types like hybrids, biotypes, mutants, etc. Autochthonous or ‘original’ accessions include 173 local cultivars and 565 other genotypes. Breeding activity based on valuable germplasm conducted to releasing of a total number of 31 cultivars and 8 rootstocks registered in the Romanian Official Catalogue for Varieties, 15 varieties have been patented in Romania and for one by CPVO. Identification, in situ evaluation, collection, ex situ evaluation, propagation and regeneration activities regarding fruit tree genetic resources have to be continued in order to conserve the local fruit tree biodiversity and to value it through breeding and use of the new varieties in the orchards.

HortScience ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-204
Author(s):  
Kim E. Hummer

The fruits of the earth have healed, nurtured, and intrigued humanity throughout history. Cultivated fruit species have complex genome that will continue to require the input of novel genetic resources. Prospecting for wild fruit species will continue. The global nature of science and commerce will drive the demand to expand available genetic resources for fruit improvement. New technologies will enable future explorers to reach remote sites and species. Recent advances, such as geopositioning and remote-communication devices, will be used to a greater degree for targeting specific collection sites and documenting records of origin. The sovereignty of countries over their plant genetic resources, as specified by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, will continue to be a cornerstone for negotiating bilateral agreements and plant exchange. Although this could be considered a limitation to plant exploration in some situations, global strategies now in conceptual infancy will be developed to encourage and support ex situ preservation and continued plant exchange for long-term conservation and humanitarian benefit.


Social Change ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 173-191

In an era of a rapidly shrinking biological resources, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a historic landmark, being the first global agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The CBD is one of the few international agreements in the area of natural resource conservation in which sustainability and equitable benefit-sharing are central concerns. The CBD links traditional conservation efforts to the economic goal of using biological resources sustainably and sets forth principles for the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources, notably those destined for commercial use. Importantly, the CBD also gives traditional knowledge its due place in the sustainable use of genetic resources. The CBD also covers the rapidly expanding field of biotechnology, addressing technology development and transfer, benefit-sharing and biosafety, in an equitable framework. In the coming years, the CBD is likely to have major repercussions on the way biodiversity is conserved and benefits thereof, shared between the developing and developed worlds. The following commentary on the CBD has drawn heavily from a document produced by Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the United Nations Environment Programme. Articles 1 to 21 of the CBD have also been reproduced here in order to disseminate knowledge regarding the principles of the CBD-Editor.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 38-45
Author(s):  
STELLINA JOLLY

The debate over control and ownership of natural and bio genetic resources has a chequered history in International environmental law. Historically genetic resources were considered and acknowledged as part of common heritage of mankind. But with the development of technologies and the heightened north south divide over the issue of sovereign right over natural resources the developing nations became extremely concerned with the exploitation of biological and Genetic resources. Access to benefit sharing (ABS) was considered as an answer to balance the interests of developed and developing nations and to conserve and protect bio diversity. Adopted on October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of 1992, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (NP) has come into force after its 50th ratification on 2013. Nagoya protocol details on procedure for access and benefit sharing, disclosure mechanism, principles of transparency and democracy. The paper analyses the protection of access and benefit sharing envisaged under Nagoya protocol and its possible role in promoting sustainable development in the develoing nations. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-47
Author(s):  
Grażyna Silska

Abstract Introduction Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants (INF&MP) is involved in gathering and evaluation of genetic resources of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and medicinal plants, because Poland has signed the Convention on Biological Diversity. Field trials were carried out in 1990–2001 in the Experimental Station in Wojciechów located in Opolskie region. The research material was accessions of genetic resources from the collection of flax, stored at the Institute of Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute in Radzików near Warsaw. Objective The aim of the publication was to evaluate the following biological features of flax: time of beginning of flowering and vegetation period to yellow maturity. Methods The characteristics data for flax accessions are presented according to the methodology of development of the International Flax Database. Each flax accessions from the world collection of flax genetic resources received one of the following assessments of two vegetation periods: very short, short, medium, long and very long. Descriptors of biological features of flax were used, presented in “List of flax descriptors (L. usitatissimum L.)” edited by Janka Nozkova, published in 2011. These descriptors are used to develop the International Flax Database, which in turn helps in the rapid evaluation of the L. usitatissimum genetic resource collection. Carrying out a detailed characterization of biological features of L. usitatissimum accessions is very helpful for breeders in selecting genetic material for breeding new varieties of flax. Results The following results were obtained from the time of the beginning of flowering and the vegetation period to yellow maturity. Time of beginning of flowering was the following: very short – 0 accessions, short – 97 accessions, medium – 20 accessions, long – 2 accessions and very long – 0 accessions of flax. The genotypes tested were characterized by the following results in terms of vegetation period from sowing to yellow maturity: very short – 0, short – 37, medium – 62, long – 0 and very long – 0 accessions of flax. Conclusions Time of beginning of flowering and the vegetation period to yellow maturity shall be revalorised to the International Flax Database for those L. usitatissimum accessions that did not receive the same assessment of the biological features tested in the two or three years of the study.


Author(s):  
Aurel MAXIM ◽  
Mignon ŞANDOR ◽  
Lucia MIHALESCU ◽  
Ovidiu MAXIM ◽  
Oana MARE ROŞCA

During the second part of the twentieth century the cultivated plants have been faced with genetic erosion, because of the expandinding industrial farming systems. The sustainable agriculture can not exist without a rich genetic diversity. After the United Nations Conference from Rio de Janeiro (1992), when the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted, a series of acts and european references that protect agrobiodiversity had emerged. Between 2007 and 2010, at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine a program which aims to identify and conserve local vegetable varieties was conducted. Out of 290 cultivars, 171 (58.9%) were genuine local varieties. There were collected 12 cucumber cultivars from the following counties: Salaj (7), Cluj (3), Bistrita-Nasaud (1) and Satu-Mare (1). The morphologic caractheristics proved that all this 12 cultivars were authentic and valuable local varieties. The local varieties were agronomical, biological and biochemical characterized, both in field and laboratory. The seeds achieved from those 12 local varieties were preserved in the Suceava Gene Bank, from where stakeholders (farmers, agronomists, researchers) can obtain seeds.


Author(s):  
Paula Bramel ◽  

This chapter reviews the key issues and challenges facing genebanks in preserving crop genetic diversity ex situ. Local crop genetic diversity is challenged with changes in land use, urbanization, land degradation, changes in agricultural practises, availability of improved varieties, changes in market preference, and the impact of climate change. Efforts have been made to secure plant genetic resources ex situ for future use but there are significant issues related to cost effective, efficient, secure, rational, and sustainable long-term ex situ conservation. It begins by addressing issues for the composition of ex situ collections and moves on to discuss issues for routine operations for conservation. The chapter also highlights issues for the use of conserved genetic resources, before concluding with a summary of why the development of sustainable genebank systems is so important.


2007 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
B. Kubbinga ◽  
I. Hoffmann ◽  
B. Scherf

SummaryIn light of the upcoming first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources (September 2007), experts have been interviewed to tell about their experiences in the management of animal genetic resources over the past fifty years. They identified three milestones in the history of Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) management: the foundation of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (1973), the FAO/UNEP 1980 Technical Consultation on AnGR, and the signing of the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992). Conservation of AnGR started at grassroot level and eventually led to policies at governmental level. The passion of civil society organizations remains vital to conserve local livestock breeds. Technical and financial support will be crucial for the future of AnGR conservation. The next milestone will be a Global Plan of Action that is expected as one outcome of the International Technical Conference.


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