Strengthening European research cooperation on plant genetic resources conservation and use

Abstract

Plant genetic resources (PGR) are a vital research infrastructure and an important asset to increase the resiliency of agri-food systems, conserve agrobiodiversity and mitigate the effects of climate change. In the current scenarios of climate change and biodiversity loss, it becomes increasingly urgent to ensure the conservation of existing crop diversity and assure its availability for research and breeding to enable the development of new, adapted crops. Throughout Europe, more than 400 collections conserve PGR of over 6,500 genera, with over 2 million accessions documented in the European Search Catalogue for Plant Genetic Resources (EURISCO). To make these resources available to breeders, more research investment in these collections is needed. Here, we analyze the participation of European genebanks in collaborative projects within the EU Horizon scheme as an indicator for the use of PGR collections in research. We highlight two Horizon projects, AGENT and G2P-SOL, and the ECPGR initiative European Evaluation Network (EVA), which have brought together genebanks and other stakeholders to create tools and knowledge on PGR. Their experience could be translated into a dedicated, large European research infrastructure for PGR (GRACE-RI), suggested in the Plant Genetic Resources Strategy for Europe and currently in the concept phase by the Horizon Europe project PRO-GRACE. GRACE-RI will connect European research institutes involved in PGR conservation and research and will be key to ensuring access to well-documented and maintained PGR and methods for their characterization and utilization, preventing further loss of plant biodiversity which is increasingly threatening European agriculture and natural landscapes.

Keywords

• plant genetic resources
• conservation
• sustainable use
• research
• breeding
• genebank