Plant Genetic Resources Centre

THE NATIONAL PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES CENTRE OF SOUTH AFRICA (NPGRC)

"Diversity in suspended animation"

BACKGROUND

Over the last few decades there has been increasing concern about the loss of diversity due to genetic erosion, which in some instances has led to serious epidemics. The fact is that germplasm loss is irreplaceable, the conservation of these genetic resources has moved to the forefront globally. Subsequently, South Africa, through the Department of Agriculture, became involved in discussions on Plant Genetic Resources and related matters during the late 1980s and has since ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and intends to ratify the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources. South Africa became a member of the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC) in 1995 and the South African NPGRC was completed in April 1998.

The Division Genetic Control, of the Directorate Genetic Resources, acts as coordinator for all activities related to the conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources in South Africa, which include seed collecting, seed multiplication/characterisation/evaluation/rejuvenation, documentation and gene bank management.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SOUTH-AFRICAN NPGRC

1. The collection of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (so-called mandate species) from all ecological zones.

2. The characterisation, evaluation, multiplication and regeneration of all indigenous and adapted exotic plant genetic resources (mandate species).

3. The safe storage of indigenous and adapted plant genetic resources in a national base and active collection.

4. Conservation of species with recalcitrant seeds in field gene banks, tissue culture or cryo-preservation.

5. Increasing the availability of indigenous and adapted plant genetic resources to farmers, plant breeders and plant researchers for the further improvement thereof.

6. To work in close collaboration with the agricultural extension and national plant breeding institutions for the effective utilisation of plant genetic resources.

7. Documentation of all plant genetic resources in the base and active collections.

8. Regulate access to Plant Genetic Resources.

COLLECTING

The conservation of Plant Genetic Resources begins with collecting and the success of this will depend on the composition of a good collection team, planning and timing. Collections are carried out in collaboration with local extension workers and with National Botanical Institute experts, where necessary. The aim of collecting is to conserve the complete genetic diversity contained within a species.

STORAGE

After drying (moisture content of 3 – 7 %) and cleaning, seeds are stored in an active collection at 4 °C and in a base collection at –18 °C. A duplicate sample is sent to the SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC) in Zambia for safekeeping. Species with recalcitrant seeds that do not tolerate a reduction in moisture content are "stored" in field gene banks. The NPGRC is in the process of establishing a cryo-preservation unit for the duplication of all accessions conserved in field gene banks.

MULTIPLICATION, REGENERATION AND CHARACTERISATION

It is seldom possible to collect adequate quantities of seed for storage, especially when collecting from farmers’ stores. It is then necessary to multiply these seeds in order to obtain the desired quantities for storage. Because of the limited space and resources, only the highest quality of seeds should be stored. It is recommended by IPGRI that only seeds with germination percentages exceeding 85% should be banked. Another reason for this is to ensure that the genetic integrity of the accession is maintained. Therefore, accessions are tested regularly and regenerated if the germination has fallen below 85%. When accessions are planted out, basic morphological characterisation is done routinely. This is performed to increase the value of the accessions for use by plant breeders.

Accessions held in the active collection are stored in small distribution bags, ready for distribution to researchers and plant breeders upon request. Seeds are only distributed to recipients upon the completion of a standard germplasm acquisition agreement.

Directions to Plant Genetic Resources Centre

CONTACT DETAILS:

Address: The Curator
National Gene Bank
Directorate Genetic Resources
Private Bag X973
Pretoria 0001

Tel: +0027 12 8085387/9
Fax: +0027 12 808 5383

E-mail: pgrc@nda.agric.za