ISHS Acta Horticulturae 541: IV International Symposium on New Floricultural Crops
PROTEACEAE GENETIC RESOURCES, SAMPLING AND EX SITU CONSERVATION |
| Authors: | G.M. Littlejohn, A. Robyn, L.M. Blomerus, H. Allies |
| Keywords: | seed bank, cultivation, genotypes, genebank, floriculture |
| Abstract:
The fynbos genebank has its origins in the collection of superior seed samples of species in the 1960’s. Today, over 2000 accessions of woody fynbos plants are maintained, as well as over 500 bulbous accessions. The genotypes are maintained as living plants, either in the field or in pots in a nursery. These maintenance methods are costly and fire or drought could totally decimate the collection. Currently, research is focusing on the establishment of a seed genebank maintaining representative samples of the species of floriculture merit. The seed bank material can be used to conserve the species and provide material suitable for disease screening, while the field genebank will maintain superior hybrid genotypes. This will increase the efficacy of the genebank. | |
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