Genebanks

February 10, 2021

More light on Genesys

Attentive readers will know that I occasionally post references to Genesys, and sometimes even links to Genesys outputs, such as search results and maps. Some revision for inattentive readers: Genesys is a database that brings together passport data on accessions from multiple genebanks, and a web interface which allows you to explore the database in different ways.

Here I just wanted to point out three recent improvements:

The huge amount of data from the USDA genebank system has been updated.
The “how to use Genesys” blurb has been totally redone, hopefully for the better.
A nifty little functionality which compares the passport data of accessions to identify possible duplicates has been added.

Any questions or suggestions, leave them below, and we’ll try to address them.

February 10, 2021February 10, 2021

Seed storage seminars

The second Plantum Seed Technology Webinar is online tomorrow, 11 February at 3-4 PM CET. Register here.

Jeremy Pardo (Van Buren lab, Michigan State University)
Co-option of seed dehydration pathways during drought and desiccation in grasses: Some grasses can survive typically lethal drought events through entering a dormant, desiccated state until the return of water. We aimed to find what distinguishes this unique desiccation tolerance response from conserved drought responses observed in all grasses. This study was done in collaboration with a.o. Henk Hilhorst (Wageningen University and Research).
Jae-Sung Lee (International Rice Research Institute)
Exploring anti-ageing properties in rice seeds: Specific seed metabolites such as anti-oxidants are known improve seed longevity. Based on metabolomic and genomic analyses, a few metabolites belonging to vitamin, flavonoid and amino acid groups were associated with seed longevity in rice. Using SNPs we identified the DNA-haplotypes regulating the accumulation of these metabolites. This study was done in collaboration with Fiona Hay (Aarhus University).

February 9, 2021February 9, 2021

Nibbles: Pacific coconuts, Fruit double, NUS, New maize

Coconuts in test tubes in the Pacific.
Fruit trees in a nutrition garden in India. And in a medieval town in Russia.
Orphan crops in the diet in Africa.
Armyworm resistant maize in the farmers’ fields in Africa.

February 8, 2021January 26, 2021

Brainfood: Corona, Restoration, Georeferencing, Bee decline, Mustard breeding, Banana seeds, Micronutrient decline, Potato micronutrients, GWAS, Trade, Deforestation alerts, Review method

Rapid assessments of the impact of COVID-19 on the availability of quality seed to farmers: Advocating immediate practical, remedial and preventative action. Structural weaknesses ruthlessly exposed.
Initial Investment in Diversity Is the Efficient Thing to Do for Resilient Forest Landscape Restoration. Spend the money on securing diverse seeds up front, you cheapskates. No word on what the effect of the pandemic.
Ten golden rules for reforestation to optimize carbon sequestration, biodiversity recovery and livelihood benefits. Right seeds, right species, right place, the right way. But save forests first.
The impact of near-real-time deforestation alerts across the tropics. Getting alerts saves forests, especially in protected areas, but only in Africa.
Integration of georeferenced and genetic data for the management of biodiversity in sheep genetic resources in Brazil. Travel 300 km for a genetically different sheep. I wonder if it’s the same for trees.
Worldwide occurrence records suggest a global decline in bee species richness. 25% fewer species in GBIF in past 25 years. Yeah but there may be alternative explanations for that, as a bee taxonomist points out. Non-Twitter link available too.
Investigating genetic relationship of Brassica juncea with B. nigra via virtual allopolyploidy and hexaploidy strategy. Wild relative could be used to synthesize some really cool mustards.
Seed storage behavior of Musa balbisiana Colla, a wild progenitor of bananas and plantains – Implications for ex situ germplasm conservation. Orthodox, but difficult to regenerate.
Mineral nutrient composition of vegetables, fruits and grains: The context of reports of apparent historical declines. No evidence for systematic declines in micronutrient concentrations.
A Study on the Biodiversity of Pigmented Andean Potatoes: Nutritional Profile and Phenolic Composition. Lots of diversity in micronutrients in traditional landraces. No word on temporal changes.
Status and prospects of genome‐wide association studies in plants. Dissecting complex traits has never been easier, and is getting easier. It says here.
A review of the interactions between biodiversity, agriculture, climate change, and international trade: research and policy priorities. Policy priorities? Increased recognition of international trade in biodiversity targets, goals, and policy; and increased communication of the impacts of food on biodiversity.
The Impact of Diversified Farming Practices on Terrestrial Biodiversity Outcomes and Agricultural Yield Worldwide: A Systematic Review Protocol. Looking forward to this one.

February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

Nibbles: Ube again, Ugandan coffee, USDA job, Genebank data, Transformation

Still have no idea whether “ube” is a yam or sweetpotato.
Uganda breeding its way to higher coffee production.
Wanna help USDA collect germplasm?
But what data are you gonna record on all that new stuff?
Chatham House says change diets, protect nature and practice sustainable farming for a better food system. Gonna need genebanks in support of all those.