Sub-Regional Training Workshop on Plant Genetic Resource Management
August 26–31, 2013, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
A Sub-Regional Training Workshop on Plant Genetic Resources Management Vital Issues of Plant Genetic Resources Collection, Conservation and Research was held under the auspices of FAO on August 26–31, 2013 at the Tajik National Centre of Plant Genetic Resources, Dushanbe. This workshop, conducted by Prof I.G. Loskutov, Head of the Oat, Rye and Barley Genetic Resources Department of the Vavilov Institute (VIR), was attended by 18 gene bank representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The purpose was to highlight the legislative and international aspects of plant genetic resources (PGR) and provide guidance on collecting, studying, conservation and data management of PGR collections.
In the framework of the theoretical part of training, the following lectures were delivered:
- History of PGR collections.
- Legislative and international aspects of PGR management.
- Major agricultural crops and their diversity as the base of a gene bank.
- Planning, organizing and conducting PGR collecting missions.
- Methods of collecting PGR.
- Methods of studying PGR.
- Organization of research and practical approaches to the identification of duplicates and unique accessions in PGR collections.
- Use of molecular marker technology in PGR research.
- Phases of field studies and establishment of regeneration nurseries for PGR accessions.
- PGR conservation management.
- Practical methods of PGR conservation.
- International systems of data management used in PGR collections.
- Databases as a key element for integration of PGR collections.
- Recording and registration of PGR accessions.
The practical part of training included field seminars on collecting plant samples and herborizing the collected material; studying and regeneration of PGR collections; and safe maintenance of ex situ collections under definite storage conditions.
The participants agreed that it would be expedient to further extend their fundamental knowledge and practical skills in plant genetic resources and database management.
When the training program was finalized, all participants received certificates, printed and electronic manuals on PGR management, and presentation files of the lectures delivered.
