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Fig. 1: Crop structure of Czech collections of plant genetic resources
At present, twelve Czech institutions taking part in
the NP hold 50,000 accessions of plant genetic resources.The
crop structure of collections is given in Fig.
1. The NP deals with gathering (including collecting
missions), documentation, characterization, evaluation
and conservation of plant genetic resources and provides
services to users.The Gene Bank in RICP Prague provides
the long-term storage of seed samples (at -18 °C
or -5 °C) for all seed-propagated collections and renders
services of the National Information System on Plant
Genetic Resources (EVIGEZ). All members of the NP
have close partnerships with users within the country
and abroad and supply to them samples of genetic
resources (4-5 thousand accessions yearly) in accordance
with IT PGRFA. International collaboration and effective
cooperative links have been set up especially within
the European Cooperative Programme (ECPGR).
Intensive characterization and evaluation of genetic
resources are carried out to support their use in breeding
and in agricultural practice. Collecting missions as
well as conservation and surveys of valuable resources
conserved “in situ” contribute to the preservation and
evaluation of local resources.“On farm” conservation is
being developed in landraces of fruit trees and some
other crops. Cultivars and landraces of neglected crops
(buckwheat, millet, hulled wheat species, some fruit trees
and forage crops) were successfully used for agro- biodiversity
enrichment;their specific use especially in human
nutrition is also important. Close collaboration with
producers (often organic farmers) and processing industry
was set up.We also studied selected alternative crops
and catch crops with the aim to introduce them into
growing and contribute to the soil fertility improvement.
Recently, detailed inventory was carried out and
current data were complemented by newly acquired
information, including data on the viability and
accessibility of accessions and regeneration needs.
Among all accessions 74% are freely available, while
other 18.4% are accessible under particular conditions
and 5.7% need urgent regeneration.The accessibility of
generatively reproduced genetic resources is higher
(78.8 %) than that of vegetatively propagated ones
(54.3 %). Steps have been taken to reduce threats to
plant genetic resources, to increase their safety and
measures were suggested how to improve access to
plant genetic resources (including prompt and suitable
regeneration, safe conservation and effective evaluation
and documentation):
• Sufficient and stable funding of NP
• Support to research projects linked to the NP,
further studies and use of genetic resources and
agro-biodiversity for sustainable development;
systematic transfer of valuable materials and data
from research projects into NP
• Better management and use of collected materials
• Speed up regeneration where needed
• Better control and monitoring of the health status
of plant genetic resources
• Extension of evaluation and characterization, broad
and effective implementation of new technologies
• Wider international cooperation and support to
the exchange of genetic resources and information
• Increase in the public awareness of genetic resources
and biodiversity
Gene Bank Storage
At the end of 2006, the gene bank storage reached
37,211 accessions which were kept under long-term or
medium-term conditions. It represents more than 93%