Crop Genebank Knowledge Base

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Crop descriptors

Descriptors lists are targeted at farmers, curators, breeders, scientists and users managing crop genetic resources collections.

For more information on descriptors lists and for more descriptors on other crops, please visit the page on Descriptor lists and derived standards on Bioversity International's web site or write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


Bioversity Technical Bulletin No. 13: Developing crop descriptor lists, Guidelines for developers (0.9 MB)

The guidelines have been produced based on experience gained from a wide range of crop studies and collaboration with many scientists, national programmes and crop networks.
These guidelines provide background information, set objectives and give insights into the structure, elements and methodology used by Bioversity to develop descriptor lists. They also provide a step-by-step checklist for defining characterization and evaluation descriptors, which can serve as a quick reference guide when developing new descriptor lists. Bioversity is thankful for the scientific advice and suggestions contributed by many scientists during the development of these guidelines.

Authors: Bioversity International
Publication Year: 2007
Pages: xii-72p
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-792-1
Language: English


Descriptors for Banana (Musa spp.) (0.4 MB)

 

 

Authors: International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI); International Network for Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP); French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD)
Publication Year: 1996
Pages: 55
ISBN-10: 92-9043-307-8
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-307-1
Language: English-French-Spanish


Descriptors for Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) (1.2 MB)

This descriptor list provides an international format and thereby produces a universally understood 'language' for plant genetic resources data. The adoption of this scheme for data encoding will produce a rapid, reliable, and efficient means for information storage, retrieval, and communication, and will assist with the utilization of germplasm.
It is recommended, therefore, that information should be produced by closely following the descriptor list with regard to: ordering and numbering descriptors; using the descriptors specified; and using the descriptors states recommended.

Authors: International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)
Publication Year: 1994
Pages: 46
ISBN-10: 92-9043-222-5
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-222-7
Language: English


Key access and utilization descriptors for cassava genetic resources (0.1 MB)

This list consists of an initial set of characterization and evaluation descriptors for cassava utilization.
This key set of strategic descriptors, together with passport data, will become the basis for the global accession-level information system being developed by the Bioversity-led project, Global Information on Germplasm Accessions (GIGA). It will facilitate access to and utilization of cassava accessions held in genebanks and does not preclude the addition of further descriptors, should data subsequently become available.

Authors: Bioversity International, CIAT, IITA, EMBRAPA
Publication Year: 2009
Pages: 5
Language: English


Descriptors for Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)(1 MB)

Published in cooperation with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT); International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Publication Year: 1999
Pages: 31
ISBN-10: 92-9043-137-7
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-137-4
Language: English


Forage Grass Descriptors

The Grass Descriptor List was initially developed by a sub-committee from the Commission of the European Communities' (CEC) Programme Committee for Plant Disease Resistance Breeding and the Use of Genebanks. The final list combines experience from National List Descriptors, UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants) Descriptor Lists and was produced with advice and according to the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources standard format.

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); Commission of European Communities (CEC)
Publication Year: 1985
Pages: 30
Language: English


Forage Legumes Descriptors

The Forage Legume Descriptors list was developed by a sub-committee, from the Commission of the European Communities’ (CEC) Programme Committee for Plant Disease Resistance Breeding and the use of Genebanks. The final list combines experience from National List Descriptors, UPOV Descriptor Lists and was produced with advice and according to the standard format of the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR).

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); Commission of European Communities (CEC)
Publication Year: 1984
Pages: 24
Language: English


Descriptors for Maize (0.5 MB)

In 1980 IBPGR published a minimal list of descriptors for maize (Zea mays L.) following the third meeting of the IBPGR Maize Advisory Committee. This list was revised by IBPGR and CIMMYT in consultation with Cher experts (see Appendix). Descriptor numbers from the 1980 list were cross-referenced and are enclosed in parentheses following the descriptor in the revised list.

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Publication Year: 1991
Pages: 86
ISBN-10: 92-9043-189-X
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-189-3
Language: English-Spanish-French

(see also: Key access and utilization descriptors for maize genetic resources, Bioversity International; International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), 2009. Click here to open this publication)


Descriptors for wild and cultivated Rice (Oryza spp.) (1.2 MB)

'Descriptors for wild and cultivated rice (Oryza spp.)' is a revision of the original IBPGR and IRRI publication 'Descriptors for rice (Oryza sativa L.)' (1980), expanded to include descriptors for wild rice species of the genus Oryza, and harmonized as far as possible with descriptors developed by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV 2004; www.upov.org) for new cultivars of cultivated rice.

Authors: Bioversity International; International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); Africa Rice Center (WARDA)
Publication Year: 2007
Pages: 63
ISBN-10: 92-9043-716-2
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-716-1
Language: English, Spanish

See also: Key access and utilization descriptors for rice genetic resources, Bioversity International and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), 2009. Click here to open this publication


Descriptors for Wheat (Revised) (0.5 MB)







Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); Commission of the European Communities (CEC)
Publication Year: 1985
Pages: 12
Language: English


Descriptors for Coconut (1.7 MB)

 

 
 

Authors: International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)
Publication Year: 1995
Pages:  61
ISBN-10: 92-9043-215-2
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-215-9
Language: English


Descriptors for Cowpea (0.2 MB)

 

A coded list is given of descriptors and descriptor states for characterizing Vigna unguiculata cultivars in germplasm work. (Abstract © CAB ABSTRACTS, CAB International)

 

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR)
Publication Year: 1983
Pages:  29
Language: English


Descriptors for Faba bean (0.6 MB)

 

 

 

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Publication Year: 1985
Pages:  19
Language: English


Descriptors for Finger millet (0.9 MB)

 

 

 
 

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR)
Publication Year: 1985
Pages:  20
Language: English


Descriptors for Lentil (1.7 MB)

 

 

 

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Publication Year: 1985
Pages:  15
Language: English


Descriptors for Pigeonpea (0.9 MB)

Published in cooperation with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

 

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Publication Year: 1993
Pages: 31
ISBN-10: 92-9043-138-5
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-138-1
Language: English


Descriptors for pearl millet (1.2 MB)

 

 

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Publication Year: 1993
Pages:  43
ISBN-10: 92-9043-136-9
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-136-7
Language: English-French

See also: Key access and utilization descriptors for pearl millet genetic resources, Bioversity International, ICRISAT, USDA-NPGS, AICR. 2010. Click here to open this publication


Descriptors for Sorghum (1.2 MB)

 

 

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Publication Year: 1993
Pages:  38
ISBN-10: 92-9043-135-0
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-135-0
Language: English-French


Descriptors for Sweet potato (0.5 MB)

 

 

Authors: International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR); International Potato Center (CIP); Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC)
Publication Year: 1991
Pages: 134
ISBN-10: 92-9043-204-7
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-204-3
Language: English-Spanish-French


Descriptors for Yam (0.3 MB)

 

 

Authors: International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI); International Institute of Tropical (IITA) Agriculture
Publication Year: 1997
Pages: 61
ISBN-10: 92-9043-353-1
ISBN-13: 978-92-9043-353-8
Language: English-Spanish-French


 

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  • Could the user who inquired about pomegranate descriptors please contact me at i.thormann@cgiar.org. I have two documents to share about pomegranate descriptors.

  • Guest - descriptores de cacao

    solo descriptores de cacao por favor

  • Guest - Mohammad F Ishiyaku

    These very useful tools for standardised description of crop plants. I found that of cowpea to be very impressive

  • Guest - Mohammad F Ishiyaku

    what should we use for DUS test

  • Guest - Adriana Alercia

    Dear Mr Ishiyaku,

    You should use UPOV Technical Guidelines for DUS tests, taking into consideration the asterisked characteristics,
    Adriana

  • Guest - Sridhar Gutam

    Would like to know if somebody are working on the development of descriptors for the fruit tree species - Psidium guajava and Syzygium cumini?

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