Publication Date
1993
Description
This paper will present novel approaches being implemented or planned lo improve future collections for forage germplasm, and to deal with changing priorities, with particular reference to Lolium perenne. With a large number of accessions already in the gene bank and providing a wide range of genes for possible utilisation, future collections must be targeted ever more precisely, The principle object is to acquire novel genes not already present in the gene bank, to maximise the proportion of genes in the gene pool of L. perenne that is held in the gene bank. A subsidiary object, to support not only the principal objective but also research into and utilisation of the gene pool, is to optimise collection of passport and environmental data during collection. We arc hindered, of course, by gross lack of knowledge of what genes arc present in the gene bank, what genes exist in the gene pool but not in the gene bank, and where these latter genes arc lo be found. We need to identify genes, know exactly where they came from, undertake an ecogeographical analysis of their distribution and identify gaps and extremes in the distribution of our collections. Molecular genetics methods now give us the ability to identify what genes are present. We can identify random DNA polymorphisms and probe alleles at specific loci, Satellite-based position-finding and modern corrected altimeters give us accurate data on latitude, longitude and altitude without being dependent on maps of variable accuracy. Computerised maps from satellite images and other sources showing altitude, rainfall, temperature, vegetation, etc. can be linked with the gene bank database for improved ecogeographical analysis of the distribution of genes in relation to environmental variables. One product of ecogeographical analysis wlll be the accurate identification of gaps and extremes in the physical distribution of our collections, in the environments they came from, and in the genes represented. We can look forward to being more confident that we have the full gene pool in the gene bank and characterized genetically for optimal utilisation.
Citation
Sackville Hamilton, N R.; Chorlton, K H.; Thomas, I D.; and Hayward, M D., "Germplasm Collecting by IGER: The Future" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 11.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session9/11
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Germplasm Collecting by IGER: The Future
This paper will present novel approaches being implemented or planned lo improve future collections for forage germplasm, and to deal with changing priorities, with particular reference to Lolium perenne. With a large number of accessions already in the gene bank and providing a wide range of genes for possible utilisation, future collections must be targeted ever more precisely, The principle object is to acquire novel genes not already present in the gene bank, to maximise the proportion of genes in the gene pool of L. perenne that is held in the gene bank. A subsidiary object, to support not only the principal objective but also research into and utilisation of the gene pool, is to optimise collection of passport and environmental data during collection. We arc hindered, of course, by gross lack of knowledge of what genes arc present in the gene bank, what genes exist in the gene pool but not in the gene bank, and where these latter genes arc lo be found. We need to identify genes, know exactly where they came from, undertake an ecogeographical analysis of their distribution and identify gaps and extremes in the distribution of our collections. Molecular genetics methods now give us the ability to identify what genes are present. We can identify random DNA polymorphisms and probe alleles at specific loci, Satellite-based position-finding and modern corrected altimeters give us accurate data on latitude, longitude and altitude without being dependent on maps of variable accuracy. Computerised maps from satellite images and other sources showing altitude, rainfall, temperature, vegetation, etc. can be linked with the gene bank database for improved ecogeographical analysis of the distribution of genes in relation to environmental variables. One product of ecogeographical analysis wlll be the accurate identification of gaps and extremes in the physical distribution of our collections, in the environments they came from, and in the genes represented. We can look forward to being more confident that we have the full gene pool in the gene bank and characterized genetically for optimal utilisation.
