NGO-Zoom Fruits - SAVE Foundation

Slovakia
Situation in the country
In Slovakia was approved the National Biodiversity Strategy in which are determined
principles and goals of rare fruit conservation too. To fulfill this strategy the government
started the “National Program for Conservation of Cultural Plant Gene Pool”. In 1996 was
founded Slovak Gene Bank in Piestany. Problem is that this genebank is focused and has
facilities only for conservation of orthodox seed crops. Collections of fruits were only
maintained in state or private breeding companies. The majority of conserved materials
were modern varieties from other countries. That was the reason for starting the project
“Conservation of plant germplasm in the Slovak republic”. Through this program
collecting expeditions in selected regions of Slovakia were carried out and a network of
cooperators on local level had been created. Collected samples mostly old varieties,
landraces and wild types were propagated after selection and located on special places for
conservation - repositories. (Ladzany, Bacuch, Moravske Lieskove, Pribelce, Sebechleby,
next in preparation). In 2000 the number of samples of fruits in Slovakia including
duplicates and collections of all cooperating workplaces were 4 500 accessions.
Organisations
Nadácia Genofond
Address: Stavbárska 2
949 01 Nitra
Slovakia
Tel.: +421-(0)87-651 11 83
Fax: +421-(0)87-741 26 26
E-mail: Tibor.Baranec@uniag.sk
Chairperson: Prof. Jan Brindza
Contactperson:::: Dr. Tibor Baranec
Registered as: Foundation
No of members:26
Active: 9
Passive: 17
General activities
Geographical area: Territory of Slovak republic
Goals: Main aim is to support by donations and some other ways of the research
program “Conservation of plant germplasm in the Slovak republic”
carried out at the Slovak Agricultural University. The Program is part of
the national program of biodiversity conservation. The Research program
is garanteed by government, but for wide spectrum of our activities it is
not enough, and it has to be sponsored by different sources.
Field of responsibility: Interests are focused on all common fruit trees (apple, pear, cherrie,
plum, pear, peache, chestnut, walnut, grape) rare fruit trees (Mespilus,
Cydonia, Sorbus), field crops (bean, pea, flax, poppy), ornamental species
(Pelargonium, Narcissus).
Support of collecting expeditions, multiplication of collected materials,
help in foundation of repositories, evaluation of collected materials. Help
in propagation of activities - publishing of teaching materials, materials
increasing public awareness, organizing of meetings. Acquisition of
sponsors for germplasm conservation.
Ways and means of safeguarding: Arboretas (special orchards called “repositories”),
Genebank
Memberships: SAVE Foundation
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