Crop Genetic Resources Conservation and Evaluation Program Project leader Sarmīte Rancāne Team of project Aldis Jansons Vija Stesele Aija Rebāne Gaļina Jermuša Ivo Vēzis Duration 2019 - 2024 Research focus 2. Preservation of biological diversity in agro- and forest biocenoses, ecosystem protection and services Source of funding Ministry of Agriculture projects Description of project The aim of research: to ensure the evaluation and maintenance of genetic resources of perennial grasses, buckwheat and rapeseed, including sample description, seed propagation, and renewal of samples stored in the gene bank. The tasks of project: 1. Evaluate, reseed and renew samples of perennial grasses, buckwheat and rapeseed genetic resources – both wild-collected and transferred to the gene bank for long-term storage, including: various grass and forage legume species, rapeseed and buckwheat samples.2. Perform description of perennial grasses and forage legume samples according to descriptors.3. Restore and multiply grass samples to be transferred to the Svalbard seed repository. Results Latvia has a rich history of agriculture and plant breeding. Currently, there are over 4000 accessions of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture conserved in both in-situ and ex-situ collections. These resources come from more than 124 different species, with the largest groups being fruits, berries, cereals, forage and grasses. Latvia is an active participant in international efforts to preserve genetic resources. In 2021, Latvia made its first deposit of seed accession to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (SGSV). To facilitate the use of these genetic resources, crop descriptor lists and genetic analysis protocols have been developed for the majority of species in collections. LBTU specialists in frame of this project are responsible for maintaining and supplementing the collections of genetic resources of grasses and forage legumes by collecting wild relatives, evaluating them, describing them, transferring them to the gene bank for long-term storage, as well as renewing samples.
