Building “Cores" in ex situ germplasm collections in Cuba. Experience in vegetables, grains and oil sedes

Abstract

Core collections have been accepted as effective tools to improve the conservation and use of the plant genetic resources collections. This work presented the approach of core collections establishment in a Germplasm Bank, starting from the available data in collections of vegetables, grains and oil seeds, as well as the results obtained in the establishment and validation of core collections of these cultivations for a better germplasm handling within their nacional base collections; the establishment of a methodological guide for the formation of core collections in ex situ stored germoplasm, and the management strategies for the use of the formed core collections, have allowed to make more effective decisions about conservation, management and use of the national ex situ collections of these important species. Building up the core collections of these crops, has also allowed, following the specific strategy for each one, to save resources in the regeneration cycles in cases of emergency situations, when there is a shortage of resources, also considering the lesser area dedicated to the regeneration, the reduction of labour at the fields and the reduction of stuffs for sample preparation for the conservation, among others. The reduction in the sizes of the samples to regenerate and to conserve, ranges from 61 to 86%. it is advisable that this experience can be spread to the rest of the Germplasm Banks in Cuba, to order the collections properly, mainly considering that shortage of resources is one of the most important identified critical factors in this activity in the country.