Genetic diversity allows crops to evolve and adapt and is a major resource for plant breeders to use and meet the challenges in maintaining food security and environmental stability.
The first genebanks were established over 50 years ago to conserve threatened landraces and wild species. Since those early days, research from genetics, plant and seed physiology, in vitro culture, cryopreservation and information technology have altered our understanding of how best to conserve and manage crop diversity.
Yet one thing remains as the basis for all our work – the need to constantly improve and use the best practices available to ensure the survival of the genetic diversity in the world’s crop genebanks, so that this essential resource remains available for use by current and future generations.
We invite you to discover and learn more about some of the better ways of managing crop genebanks and to share with us how you manage your genebank.
Click HERE to contribute.
Need help to explore this site's content? Click here to view a tutorial that guides you through the main sections of the Crop Genebank Knowledge Base.
This website was developed under the program of
Collective Action for the Rehabilitation of Global Public Goods
in the CGIAR Genetic Resources Systems: Phase 2
