2008Global

StrategicPlanningVegetable Seed Regeneration

and Quality PreservationAndreas W. Ebert

Global Theme Leader – GermplasmAVRDC – The World Vegetable Center

International Training Course on Plant GeneticResources and Genebank Management

07-18 September 2009RDA, Suwon, Republic of Korea

2008Global

StrategicPlanningAVRDC-The World Vegetable Center

Mission:Alleviate poverty and

malnutrition in thedeveloping world throughthe increased productionand consumption of safe

vegetables

2008Global

StrategicPlanning

AVRDC-HQ Taiwan - 1971

ARC Thailand - 1992

West & Central Africa – Mali(2005)

NigerSolomonIslands

AVRDC – Global Agricultural R&D

Cameroon Laos

Niger

RCA Tanzania - 1992

RCSA India - 2006

Madagascar

2008Global

StrategicPlanningWhy Vegetables?

Vegetables:

• Create jobs• Generate higher incomes• Alleviate malnutrition• Improve learning

capacities of children andenhance maternal health

• Improve livelihoods

2008Global

StrategicPlanningWhy do we need genetic diversity?

2008Global

StrategicPlanning… to create better vegetables

Building on crop diversity todeliver better vegetable cultivarsand produce for farmers andconsumers:

Higher yields through multipleresistance to pests anddiseases;

More stable yields underbiotic and abiotic stresses;

Improved high-value features(e.g. size, color, taste); and

Better nutritional quality(e.g. vitamin A and iron)

2008Global

StrategicPlanning… to improve tolerance to environmental stress

Wild tomato - source ofdrought tolerance

High yieldingtomato variety

2008Global

StrategicPlanning

The world’s largest collection of vegetablegermplasm in the public sector

2008Global

StrategicPlanningGermplasm accessions conserved at the Center – 08/09

Principal crops Other crops Total

No. of accessions 44,693 11,968 56,661No. of genera 9 152 161No. of species 127 277 404No. of countries of origin 152

No. of accessions conserved at the Regional Center for Africa 1,304

2008Global

StrategicPlanning

Government organizations 1491

Internal seed distribution 1005

Seed companies 847

Universities 394

Private individuals 109

Private companies 21

Utilization

2008Global

StrategicPlanningIntroduction to seed regeneration

This lecture outlines procedures and problemsencountered during vegetable seed regenerationwith special emphasis on quality preservation

Rationale:The production and quality preservation ofvegetable seeds poses several problems:- Wide range of different species with different

cultural requirements, breeding structures andseed physiology- Appropriate isolation and pollination procedures

are necessary to preserve genetic integritywhile producing sufficient seed

2008Global

StrategicPlanningProblems in seed production and regeneration

Vegetable seed regeneration covers a wide rangeof species:

Different cultural requirementsDifferences in breeding systemsDifferences in seed physiology

2008Global

StrategicPlanningBehavior of vegetable seeds in storage

Majority of vegetable crops are produced fromorthodox seeds:Preservation is relatively easy as seeds can bedried to a low seed moisture content (4-7%) andstored in a cool and dry place for many years(decades)Some vegetatively propagated crops (shallot,garlic, leafy sweet potato) need to be preservedin field genebanks

2008Global

StrategicPlanningStorage of vegetable seeds

Storage of orthodoxseeds in cold stores

Maintenance of garlic infield genebank

2008Global

StrategicPlanningSeed quality of vegetable crops

Highly viable and vigorousGenetically pure (true to type)Physically purity (percentage ofpure seed versus seeds fromother crops, weeds, and foreignmatter)Seed health: free from disease,insect pestsUniform size of desired typeFairly pricedGood yielding abilityWide adaptability

Commercial vegetable seed Vegetable seed in genebanks

“Good seed on good land yields abundantproduce” (Hindu proverb)

Highly viable and vigorousGenetically pure (true to type)?Physically purity (percentage ofpure seed versus seeds fromother crops, weeds, and foreignmatter)Seed health: free from disease,insect pestsUniform size of desired typeFairly pricedGood yielding abilityWide adaptability

2008Global

StrategicPlanningGoal of seed preservation in genebanks

Maximize longevity of the stored seed at minimalcost

Longevity is affected by two major factors:Quality and water content of seed before entryinto storageConditions surrounding the seeds during storage

2008Global

StrategicPlanningCategories of seed production

The seed category determines how stringent the procedureis that has to be followed in seed production.

The different seed categories are:• Breeder’s seed• Foundation seed• Certified seed• Commercial seed

Genebank situation:How are traditional varieties, landraces to be treated?

2008Global

StrategicPlanningBreeder’s Seed

This seed category is produced and maintainedby the plant breeder or the organization whichoriginally developed or introduced the cultivar.

Carefully maintained with a high level ofselection by a qualified plant breederProduced in small quantities from plants whichhave been individually selected and seededunder very strict conditions to maintain purity

2008Global

StrategicPlanningFoundation Seed

This seed category is the progeny of breederseed and is used for direct production ofcertified, commercial or standard seed.

Foundation seed is usually produced andmaintained by the organization which developedthe new cultivar or by a seed producer in closecollaboration with the plant breeder whodeveloped the cultivar. A certification agency isusually supervising and approving theproduction of foundation seed.

2008Global

StrategicPlanningCertified Seed

This is the progeny of foundation seed (up tothree generations) of a cultivar within a seedcertification scheme.

The seeds are produced according to anofficially approved and monitored program.Certified seed produced from certified seed isnot eligible for further seed increase.