Improving the identification, handling and storage of “difficult” seeds ...

2.15. SUDAN presentation
Sudan Plant Genetic Resources Unit
Mr. Awadelkarim Alamelhuda Ahmed
Supporting On-Farm management & improvement of PGRFA (question 2.1)
The program participates with communities in the conservation of plant genetic resources through
ex-situ and in-situ conservation. The conservation of farmer varieties by in-situ methods
conservation are encouraged by the program and at the same time the seed and field banks are used
to maintain the genetic variability. The program also redistributes seeds to regions which loose local
germplasm because of displacement or food shortages.
Germplasm storage facilities (question 5.3)
In the PGR program, the following equipment is available:
▪ 19 deep freeze chests, 10 in good working order
The germplasm is stored using the following methods:
▪ Seed gene bank - more than 8000 accessions from different crops are maintained in deep
freezers in long tem storage (-20ºC and 5-7% mc), with space for medium- and short-term
storage.
▪ Field gene bank: This in Kassala area for the conservation of Musa sp.; more than 400
accessions were conserved in a field in the river Gash.
Drying facilities/methods
▪ 1 seed drying machine
▪ 6 split unit air-conditioners, 4 in good working order
▪ 5 window air conditioners, 3 in good working order
The drying of seeds in the gene bank is done immediately after seed collection and seed
multiplication through shed drying, dehumidification and silica gel drying. The optimum moisture
content varies with the crop and the type of conservation which could be long-term or medium-term
or short-term.
Measuring seed moisture status
▪ 1 oven
▪ 2 precision top balances, 1 in good working order
▪ seed moisture analyser
The seed moisture is measured for any accession before conservation after seed recipient or seed
multiplication and the oven method is used to determine the moisture content
Storage containers
▪ 3 sealing machines for aluminium envelopes, 2 in good working order
The seeds collected and obtained from the multiplication process are first kept in bags. When ready
for conservation, they are put into the aluminium foil envelopes. Other containers used for large
quantities include cotton sacks and plastic or iron barrels. Smaller quantities are put into polythene
bags and glass containers.
Viability monitoring (question 5.5)
Viability monitoring is supposed to be practiced every 5 years. This done through testing the seed
by the seed germination method. However at present, viability is only tested on seed samples of