A summary of Guidebook for Genetic Resources Documentation

1
A summary of Guidebook for Genetic Resources
Documentation

• A self-teaching approach to the understanding,
  analysis and development of genetic resources
  documentation.

http//www.bioversityinternational.org
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Some activities a gene bank are involved with

• Acquisition of new germplasm
• Multiplication/regeneration of germplasm
• Documentation and exchange of information on
  germplasm
• Conservation of germplasm
• Research
• Characterisation and evaluation of germplasm

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Different types of collections in gene banks

• Base collection (kept for long term, secure
  conservation. Often stored at sub zero
  temperatures with low seed moisture content)
• Active collection (germplasm used for
  regeneration, multiplication, distribution,
  characterization and evaluation. Often duplicated
  in a base collection and stored under medium to
  long term storage.)
• Working collection (used by breeders or
  researchers)
• Field collection (collection of living plants)
• In vitro (germplasm kept as plant tissue)

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In vitro
Clone archive
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Data and informationDefinitions

• DATA quantitative or qualitative values
• INFORMATION when data are interpreted
• DESCRIPTOR identifiable and measurable
  characteristic
• DESCRIPTORLIST collation of descriptors for a
  species or crop
• DESCRIPTOR STATE different states for a
  descriptor
• DOCUMENTATION SYSTEM a way of storing and
  maintaining data

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Importance of the accession numbering system

• Use a strictly numeric system which is sequential
  in operation
• Do not incorporate additional information in the
  accession number
• Use only one numbering system (not with
  depositors designation, not reserved numbering
  system and so on)
• Never re-use an accession number

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Sequence of procedures performed on seed sample

• Registration
• Passport data, characterization data, other data
• Seed cleaning
• Comments on sample health
• Seed drying
• Moisture content (fresh, final), 1000 seed
  weight, drying method
• Seed viability
• Date of test, viability, method used
• Seed packing and storage
• Weight of seed, viability, moisture content,
  location in store

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Descriptor list for sample registration Passport
data

• Passport data - information recorded when the
  sample was originally collected
• Accession descriptors
• Collecting descriptors

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Accession descriptors

• Accession number
• Scientific name
• Pedigree/cultivar name
• Donor name
• Donor identification number
• Acquisition date
• Other number associated with the accession
• Date of last regeneration or multiplication

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Collecting descriptors

• Accession numbers
• Collecting number
• Collecting organization
• Collector
• Collecting date
• Country of collecting
• Province/state
• Location of collecting site
• Altitude of collecting site
• Status of sample (landrace, adv cult, prim
  variety)

• Type of sample
• Scientific name
• Local/vernacular name
• Number of plants sampled
• Land use
• Plant use
• Cultural practices
• Photograph identification number(s)
• And more

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Seed cleaninglist of possible descriptors for
seed cleaning

• Accession number
• Batch reference
• Date seed cleaned
• Reference to method
• Estimate of total seed
• Proportion of empty seed
• Treatment of seed
• Operator (name of person cleaning seed)

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Seeds
Seeds in the drying room
One accession can have several batches
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Seed drying list of possible descriptors for
seed drying

• Accession number
• Batch reference
• Reference to method
• Final moisture content determination()
• Date
• Total dry weight of seeds
• 1000 seed weight

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Seed viability testing (germination test)
This procedure is performed after seed drying and
periodically afterwards to monitor the viability
of the seeds

• Descriptor list for seed viability testing
• Accession number
• Batch reference
• Collection type (base, active)
• Reference to method
• Date of testing
• Viability ()
• Operator (person performing test)

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Germinated seeds in germinator
100 seeds for the germination
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Seed packing and storage
Pack seeds in such way that they are prevented
from absorption of humidity and contamination
from pests and viruses

• Descriptor list for seed storage
• Accession number
• Batch reference
• Collection type (base, active..)
• Location in seed store
• Total amount of seed
• 1000 seed weight
• Minimum amount of seed allowed (before
  regeneration is necessary)
• Number of packets /containers

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How to document the seed packets

• Label seed packets carefully with useful
  information (at the very least with the accession
  number and batch reference)
• Standardize labeling (Dont label the packets
  arbitrarily use a format which is followed on
  all seed packets)
• Organize the seed store (in strict accession
  order or on crop basis)
• Each batch of an accession should have a seed
  store location address (cold room, rack, shelf,
  box)

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Seed distribution

• Descriptor list for seed distribution
• Accession number
• Batch reference
• Date of supply
• Amount of seed sent
• Reference to recipient
• Mail registration

New MTA MTA on Annex1 crops and not Annex1
If there is insufficient seed in the store, the
accession must first be multiplied before any
seed is distributed. Passport data and available
scientific data are retrieved from the
Documentation System and supplied together with
the sample. Then update the Seed store inventory.
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Regeneration / multiplication

• Regeneration is performed when the viability of a
  batch falls below an acceptable level this level
  is commonly 85
• Multiplication is done when the total weight or
  number of seeds of an accession falls below a
  pre-defined minimum amount

• Descriptor list for regeneration/multiplication
• Accession number
• Batch reference
• Collection type
• Regeneration site
• Date
• Germination
• Breeding system
• Other species-specific descriptors

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Descriptor list / evaluation

• Characterisation consists of recording those
  descriptors which are highly heritable, can be
  seen easily by eye and are expressed in all
  environments
• Evaluation consists of recording those characters
  which are susceptible to environmental
  differences
• Most of the descriptors for characterisation and
  evaluation are species specific. However there
  are some general descriptors concerning the
  conditions of the trial which are given
  (accession number, batch reference, evaluator, .)

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In vitro collections

• Germplasm as plant tissue (from protoplast,
  cellsuspensions to meristems/ shoot-tips and
  embryos)
• In vitro cultures are often duplicated in
  parallel under other conditions, e.g. slow growth
  and cryopreservation
• Culture in normal or slow growth require
  monitoring periodically

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An example of the batch reference notation in in
vitro collections
1
First subculture
1.2
1.1
Batch reference
Second subculture
Batch reference
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.2.2
1.2.1
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Building the system
Produce a logical system design. Data modeling
Choose a physical system design
Build the structure with linked data tables (data
files)
Develop screen forms for entering, modifying,
searching for and deleting data
Organize the formats and screen forms into
routine options. This will usually correspond to
the documentation needs and procedures recognised
in your analysis
Design all reports and forms into a logical
system which can easily be used by other gene
bank staff
Document all procedures in your documentation
system for future reference!!!!
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Read more

• A more detailed introduction for
• Genetic Resources Documentation
• can be found at
• http//www.bioversityinternational.org/publication
  s/pubfile.asp?ID_PUB432
• Good luck!