Distributions, ex situ conservation priorities, and genetic resource potential of crop wild relatives of sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., I. series Batatas]

This study presents the status of ex situ and in situ conservation for the crop wild relatives of rice, potato, sweet potato, and finger millet in Brazil, and the subsequent germplasm collection expeditions. This research is part of a global initiative entitled “Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: Collecting, Protecting, and Preparing Crop Wild Relatives” supported by the Global Crop Diversity Trust. Species of the primary, secondary, and tertiary gene pools with occurrences reported in Brazil were included: Oryza alta Swallen, O. grandiglumis (Döll) Prod., O. latifolia Desv., O. glumaepatula Steud., Eleusine tristachya (Lam.) Lam., E. indica (L.) Gaertn., Solanum commersonii Dunal, S. chacoense Bitter, Ipomoea grandifolia (Dammer) O’Donell, I. ramosissima (Poir.) Choisy, I. tiliacea (Willd.) Choisy, I. triloba L., and I. cynanchifolia Meisn. The status of the ex situ and in situ conservation of each taxon was assessed using the gap analysis methodology, and the results were used to plan 16 germplasm collection expeditions. Seeds of the collected material were evaluated for viability, and the protocols for seed germination and cryopreservation were tested. The final conservation score, resulting from the gap analysis and including the average of the ex situ and in situ scores, resulted in a classification of medium priority of conservation for all the species, with the exception of I. grandifolia (high priority). The total accessions collected (174) almost doubled the total accessions of these crop wild relatives incorporated in Embrapa’s ex situ conservation system prior to 2015. In addition, accessions for practically absent species were collected for the ex situ conservation system, such as Ipomoea species, Eleusine indica, and Solanum chacoense. The methods used for dormancy breaking and low temperature conservation for the Oryza, Eleusine, and Ipomoea species were promising for the incorporation of accessions in the respective gene banks. The results show the importance of efforts to collect and conserve ex situ crop wild relatives in Brazil based on previous gap analysis. The complementarity with the in situ strategy also appears to be very promising in the country.

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In situ and ex situ conservation gap analyses of crop wild relatives from Malawi

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution ◽

10.1007/s10722-020-01021-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nolipher Khaki Mponya ◽

Tembo Chanyenga ◽

Joana Magos Brehm ◽

Nigel Maxted

Keyword(s):

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Plant Genetic Resources ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Grid Cells ◽

Ex Situ Collections ◽

Minimum Number

Abstract The study analysed the conservation gaps of the priority crop wild relatives (CWR) taxa for Malawi in order to contribute to the development of a harmonized conservation strategy that helps secure the priority CWR under in situ and ex situ. We used taxa distribution modelling, complementarity analysis and ecogeographic land characterization map to analyse spatial diversity and distribution of 123 priority taxa across different adaptive scenarios. We identified areas of observed and predicted richness, the minimum number of protected areas (PAs) that conserve the broadest ecogeographic diversity in situ and the minimum number of grid cells that capture highest diversity outside PAs to recommend the establishment of genetic reserves. We then analysed the representativeness of the conserved ecogeographic diversity of target taxa in ex situ collections to identify ex situ conservation gaps and advise for priority areas for ex situ collections. For the 123 taxa, 70.7% of the total diversity occurs in 36 PAs with 66.8% of the diversity captured in only 10 complementary PAs. Outside PAs, the broadest diversity was conserved in three grid cells of size 5 × 5 km. Fifty-three of 123 taxa have ex situ collections with only three taxa having ex situ collections at the Malawi Plant Genetic Resources Centre. The findings of this study will guide formulation of conservation actions for the priority taxa as well as lobbying for active conservation of the same under in situ and ex situ.

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Diversity and conservation priorities of crop wild relatives in Mexico

Plant Genetic Resources ◽

10.1017/s1479262118000540 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 140-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aremi R. Contreras-Toledo ◽

Moisés Cortés-Cruz ◽

Denise E. Costich ◽

Ma. de Lourdes Rico-Arce ◽

Joana Magos Brehm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Gap Analysis ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Cultivated Plants ◽

Conservation Priorities

AbstractCrop wild relatives (CWR) are valuable resources for crop breeding due to their close genetic relationship to the cultivated plants and their wide genetic variation, allowing the introgression of desirable traits into the crops, such as resistance to plant pests and diseases or adaptability to climate change. Mexico is a centre of agrobiodiversity, including CWR, but climate change, and other factors, are contributing to the loss of important Mexican CWR genetic diversity. The in situ and ex situ conservation status of Mexican priority CWR were assessed through a gap analysis as part of a national CWR conservation strategy for Mexico, to ensure the long-term preservation and improve the availability of these genetic resources. A set of 310 priority CWR taxa, previously identified as part of the national CWR inventory for Mexico, were analysed. Species distribution modelling and ecogeographic diversity analyses were used to detect gaps in in situ and ex situ conservation at taxon and ecogeographic levels. Priority target sites were identified throughout the country for complementary in situ and ex situ conservation of these taxa. The results obtained allow us to make recommendations for immediate conservation actions, thus helping to mitigate the threats to Mexican agrobiodiversity and enhance both national and global food security.

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Ex Situ Conservation Priorities for the Wild Relatives of Potato (Solanum L. Section Petota)

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0122599 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. e0122599 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Nora P. Castañeda-Álvarez ◽

Stef de Haan ◽

Henry Juárez ◽

Colin K. Khoury ◽

Harold A. Achicanoy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Conservation Priorities ◽

Section Petota

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Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) Priority in Italy: Distribution, Ecology, In situ and Ex situ Conservation and Expected Actions

10.20944/preprints202012.0691.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Enrico Vito Perrino ◽

Robert Philipp Wagensommer

Keyword(s):

Geographical Distribution ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Gene Pools

The study presents an updated overview of the 14 non-endemic threatened Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) in Italy: Aegilops biuncialis, Ae. uniaristata, Ae. ventricosa, Asparagus pastorianus, Beta macrocarpa, Brassica insularis, B. montana, Crambe hispanica subsp. hispanica, C. tataria subsp. tataria, Ipomoea sagittata, Lathyrus amphicarpos, L. palustris, Vicia cusnae and V. serinica. Geographical distribution, ecology (with plant communities and habitat 92/43/EEC aspects), genetics (focused on gene pools), property, and in situ and ex situ conservation were analyzed. In addition, with the aim of their protection and valorization, specific actions are recommended.

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NATIVE SEEDS/SEARCH: BRIDGING IN SITU AND EX SITU CONSERVATION OF NATIVE SOUTHWESTERN CROPS

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.25.9.1179d ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 25 (9) ◽

pp. 1179d-1179

Author(s):

Gary Paul Nabhan ◽

Mahina Drees ◽

Kevin Dahl

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

International Organizations ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Genetic Erosion ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Educational Materials

The binational Southwest remains rich in native crop land races and crop wild relatives, despite numerous pressures favoring genetic erosion. Native Seeds/SEARCH is promoting in situ conservation in traditional Indian fields and nearby wild habitats, but also maintains a gene bank as a back-up, to allow future reintroductions. Seeds are distributed to Native American communities for free, and their value is reinforced through a variety of educational materials and presentations. Our regional focus allows us to serve as an effective bridge between in situ and ex situ conservationists, between Indian and international organizations, and between tribes. Methods, ethics and accomplishments to date will be highlighted.

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Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) Priority in Italy: Distribution, Ecology, In Situ and Ex Situ Conservation and Expected Actions

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13041682 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1682 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Enrico Vito Perrino ◽

Robert Philipp Wagensommer

Keyword(s):

Geographical Distribution ◽

Plant Communities ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Gene Pools

The study presents an updated overview of the 14 non-endemic threatened crop wild relatives (CWR) in Italy: Aegilops biuncialis, Ae. uniaristata, Ae. ventricosa, Asparagus pastorianus, Beta macrocarpa, Brassica insularis, B. montana, Crambe hispanica subsp. hispanica, C. tataria subsp. tataria, Ipomoea sagittata, Lathyrus amphicarpos, L. palustris, Vicia cusnae and V. serinica. Geographical distribution, ecology (with plant communities and habitat 92/43/EEC aspects), genetics (focused on gene pools), property, and in situ and ex situ conservation were analyzed. In addition, with the aim of their protection and valorization, specific actions are recommended.

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The Ex Situ Conservation and Potential Usage of Crop Wild Relatives in Poland on the Example of Grasses

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11010094 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 94

Author(s):

Denise F. Dostatny ◽

Grzegorz Żurek ◽

Adam Kapler ◽

Wiesław Podyma

Keyword(s):

Endemic Species ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Gene Bank ◽

Raw Material ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Botanical Gardens ◽

Ex Situ Collections ◽

Poaceae Family

The Poaceae is the second most abundant family among crop wild relatives in Poland, representing 147 taxa. From these species, 135 are native taxa, and 11 are archeophytes. In addition, one taxon is now considered to be extinct. Among the 147 taxa, 8 are endemic species. Central Europe, including Poland, does not have many endemic species. Only a few dozen endemic species have been identified in this paper, mainly in the Carpathians and the adjacent uplands, e.g., the Polish Jura in southern Poland. The most numerous genera among the 32 present in the crop wild relatives (CWR) of Poaceae family are: The genus Festuca (33 species), Poa (19), and Bromus (11). In turn, ten genera are represented by only one species per genus. A good representative of groups of grasses occur in xerothermic grasslands, and other smaller groups can be found in forests, mountains, or dunes. CWR species from the Poaceae family have the potential for different uses in terms of the ecosystem services benefit. They can impart for humans, animals, and the environment, including fodder, edibles, biomass grasses (fuels and raw material), and amenity grasses, and are used for ecological purposes. In the central Polish gene bank in Radzików (NCPGR), all accessions are represented by approximately 30% of grasses germplasm, 10% of which are CWR grasses. In the case of CWR grasses, 56% are stored in the NCPGR gene bank, and approximately 80% in botanical gardens, but frequently in a single accessions. Together, crop gene banks and botanical gardens can maintain a large range of ex situ collections useful for the preservation, breeding, and research of crop wild relatives along with the necessary information for plant breeders.

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Main Challenges and Actions Needed to Improve Conservation and Sustainable Use of Our Crop Wild Relatives

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9080968 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 968 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Johannes M. M. Engels ◽

Imke Thormann

Keyword(s):

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Plant Genetic Resources ◽

In Situ Conservation ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Current Status ◽

Threat Status

Crop wild relatives (CWR, plural CWRs) are those wild species that are regarded as the ancestors of our cultivated crops. It was only at the end of the last century that they were accorded a high priority for their conservation and, thus, for many genebanks, they are a new and somewhat unknown set of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. After defining and characterizing CWR and their general threat status, providing an assessment of biological peculiarities of CWR with respect to conservation management, illustrating the need for prioritization and addressing the importance of data and information, we made a detailed assessment of specific aspects of CWRs of direct relevance for their conservation and use. This assessment was complemented by an overview of the current status of CWRs conservation and use, including facts and figures on the in situ conservation, on the ex situ conservation in genebanks and botanic gardens, as well as of the advantages of a combination of in situ and ex situ conservation, the so-called complementary conservation approach. In addition, a brief assessment of the situation with respect to the use of CWRs was made. From these assessments we derived the needs for action in order to achieve a more effective and efficient conservation and use, specifically with respect to the documentation of CWRs, their in situ and ex situ, as well as their complementarity conservation, and how synergies between these components can be obtained. The review was concluded with suggestions on how use can be strengthened, as well as the conservation system at large at the local, national, and regional/international level. Finally, based on the foregoing assessments, a number of recommendations were elaborated on how CWRs can be better conserved and used in order to exploit their potential benefits more effectively.

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Priorities for enhancing the ex situ conservation and use of Australian crop wild relatives

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt16236 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 65 (8) ◽

pp. 638 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sally L. Norton ◽

Colin K. Khoury ◽

Chrystian C. Sosa ◽

Nora P. Castañeda-Álvarez ◽

Harold A. Achicanoy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Ex Situ Conservation ◽

Crop Wild Relatives ◽

Wild Relatives ◽

Habitat Destruction ◽

Food Plants ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Cultivated Plants ◽

Food Crops ◽

Major Food

Crop wild relatives – the wild cousins of cultivated plants – are increasingly recognised for their potential to contribute to the productivity, nutritional quality and sustainability of agricultural crops. However, the use of these genetic resources is dependent upon their conservation in genebanks and consequent availability to plant breeders, the status of which has not been comprehensively analysed in Australia. Such conservation assessments are given urgency by reports of increasing threats to natural populations due to habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive species, among other causes. Here we document Australian wild plants related to important food crops, and outline their priorities for ex situ conservation. Given that no major domesticated food plants originated in the country, Australia’s native flora of crop wild relatives is surprisingly rich, including potentially valuable cousins of banana, eggplant, melon, mung bean, pigeonpea, rice, sorghum, sweetpotato, soybean and yam. Species richness of the wild relatives of major food crops is concentrated in the northern and north-eastern tropical regions, in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Queensland. Geographic priorities for collecting of these taxa for ex situ conservation, due to the limited representation of their populations in genebanks, largely align with areas of high species richness. Proposed dam building and agricultural expansion in northern Australia make conservation action for these species more urgent. We outline key steps needed for enhancing the ex situ conservation of Australia’s heritage of major food crop wild relatives, and discuss the critical activities required to increase their use.

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