Global status of genetic resources for food and agriculture: challenges and research needs

In this review paper, experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) assess the state and trends of genetic resources and their management at global level. They note that there is a major challenge in monitoring plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) diversity in situ and on-farm to predict and minimize loss of inter- and intra-specific genetic variation, particularly in vulnerable groups such as crop wild relatives, wild food plants and underutilized crops. Knowledge gaps on recalcitrant seed physiology and behaviour in neglected species, along with a lack of standardized protocols for their in vitro conservation and cryopreservation - and a lack of alternative low-cost conservation methods – is often a severe constraint to national ex situ conservation programmes. Other key knowledge gaps relate to breeding systems, reproductive biology, dormancy mechanisms and technical problems associated with regeneration practices for “unconventional” species. Further work is also needed on development and harmonization of standards for the exchange of data on in situ germplasm and the documentation of ethnobotanical information on farmers’ varieties, landraces and underutilized species.