ISHS Acta Horticulturae 545: V International Protea Research Symposium
GENETIC RESOURCE CONSERVATION IN PROTEACEAE: LIMITATIONS AND CHALLENGES |
| Author: | G.M. Littlejohn |
| Keywords: | off-site conservation, field gene bank, seed bank, cultivar, benefit sharing |
| Abstract:
The genetic resources of the Southern African Proteaceae are major contributors to the commercial Proteaceae products traded on the international floriculture market today. The greatest level of speciation of Proteaceae in Africa occurred in the Cape Floral Kingdom, a threatened and fragile ecosystem. The Southern African Proteaceae were recognized as valuable floriculture commodities during the 1960’s, leading to cultivation in a large number of countries with suitable soil and climatic conditions. Cultivation was initially based on use of seed propagated populations selected either haphazardly or intentionally from the wild species. While this material served as excellent propagation stock for foreign countries, the gains from cultivation of pure species in their country of origin were too small to induce large-scale cultivation. It was the discovery and use of unique interspecific hybrids that sparked the desire to cultivate in South Africa. These interspecific hybrids provide a floral product that is easily distinguishable from the wild harvested product. Continued development of superior, unique products relies on breeding based primarily on interspecific hybridization. Constraints to cultivation, with environmental concerns becoming more important, also stress the need to develop not only unique cultivars, but cultivars that grow faster, produce more and do not become diseased. To develop these types of cultivar requires consistent screening of the species populations that have been sampled from the wild and managed in a plantation to determine the important characteristics; therefore the necessity for a large field gene bank. However, the field gene bank needs to be supported by a representative seed bank so that it has maximum economic impact on the crop. Currently the ARC Proteaceae gene bank comprises over 2000 accessions in the field gene bank and 200 accessions kept as seed samples. Investigations into the genetic diversity present in species are underway to provide guidelines for effective sampling from wild populations. These studies need to be extended. The most pressing concern for the gene bank activities is the lack of consistent long term funding. Changes to the policy of cultivar distribution and royalty collection are attempts to enable the long-term sustainability of cultivar development. | |
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