Seed Cleaning

IPGRI Handbook for Genebanks No. 6. IPGRI, Rome. FAO/IPGRI, 1994. Genebank standards. FAO and IPGRI, Rome. Linington, S. H. 2003. The design of seed banks. Pp. 591-636 in Seed conservation: Turning science into practice. (R.D. Smith, J.B. Dickie, S.H. Linington, H.W. Pritchard and R.J. Probert, eds.). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. 96 7. GERMPLASM DISTRIBUTION What is germplasm distribution? Germplasm distribution is the supply of representative samples of seed accessions from a genebank in response to requests from germplasm users. In general, seeds are ( Seed Processing, Seed Cleaning, Stone separator, Combo Cleaner, Grading Machine, Gravity Separator  )

distributed only from active collections (see Flowchart 7.1). Why is germplasm distributed? The purpose of conserving germplasm in a genebank is either to improve crop varieties through plant breeding and related research activities or to restore diversity lost on farms and in natural habitats in order to meet the needs of farmers and communities. This contributes directly to improving the livelihoods of poor people and to protecting the environment. In the past, not enough emphasis was given to germplasm distribution. It is now widely recognized that the utilization of germplasm should ( Seed Processing, Seed Cleaning, Stone separator, Combo Cleaner, Grading Machine, Gravity Separator  )

drive its conservation. Genebanks must be more proactive in establishing links with germplasm users, breeders, researchers, farmers and other groups. How should germplasm be distributed? Germplasm should be distributed in a way that ensures it reaches its destination in good condition. Environmental conditions during transport can be detrimental to seed quality, so seeds should be carefully packed and distributed in sealed moisture-resistant envelopes for protection during transit (see below). The scope and extent of distribution varies with each genebank. Germplasm may be distributed within or outside the country, depending on the genebank’s mandate and whether its ( Seed Processing, Seed Cleaning, Stone separator, Combo Cleaner, Grading Machine, Gravity Separator  )

collection is national, regional or global. 1. Introduction 2. Germplasm acquisition and registration 2.1 Germplasm acquisition 2.2 Germplasm registration 3. Seed cleaning 4. Seed moisture content determination and drying 4.1 Seed moisture content determination 4.2 Seed drying 5. Seed quality testing 5.1 Seed viability testing 5.2 Seed health testing 5.3 Seed testing for inadvertent introduction of transgenes 6. Seed packaging and storage 6.1 Seed packaging 6.2 Seed storage 7. Germplasm distribution 8. Germplasm monitoring and regeneration 8.1 Germplasm monitoring 8.2 Germplasm regeneration 7. Distribution 97 Manual of Seed Handling CHECK IF IMPORT PERMIT IS NEEDED AND WHETHER THE REQUESTOR HAS SENT IT CHECK IF REQUESTOR PROVIDED THE LIST OF ACCESSION NUMBERS CHECK AVAILABILITY OF REQUESTED ACCESSIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION ON STANDARD MTA Are accession numbers specified? SELECT ACCESSIONS BASED NO YES CHECK IF THE MATERIAL CAN ( Seed Processing, Seed Cleaning, Stone separator, Combo Cleaner, Grading Machine, Gravity Separator  )

BE DISTRIBUTED USING A TAILORED MTA INFORM REQUESTOR THAT MATERIAL CANNOT BE DISTRIBUTED CHECK IN THE DATA FILE WHETHER ENOUGH SEEDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION Is enough seed available? INFORM REQUESTOR THAT REQUESTED ACCESSION NEEDS TO BE REGENERATED NO YES REGISTER THE REQUEST PREPARE THE RELEVANT MTA TO BE USED PREPARE THE SAMPLES FOR DISTRIBUTION PREPARE THE LIST OF ACCESSIONS TO BE DISPATCHED OBTAIN FROM DATA FILES THE MINIMUM PASSPORT DATA FOR EACH ACCESSION CHECK WHETHER ANY ( Seed Processing, Seed Cleaning, Stone separator, Combo Cleaner, Grading Machine, Gravity Separator  )

SPECIAL TREATMENTS AND/OR PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE IS NEEDED CHECK WHETHER IT IS IN-COUNTRY OR EXPORT DISTRIBUTION Can be distributed on Standard MTA? Can be distributed using a tailored MTA? Does it involve seed export? OBTAIN IMPORT PERMIT Are special treatments required? Has Import Permit been received? Is Import Permit necessary? DISPATCH THE SAMPLES FILE THE INFORMATION YES NO NO YES NO YES YES NO YES YES YES NO NO Is a phytosanitary certificate needed? SEND SAMPLES TO PLANT QUARANTINE FOR SPECIAL TREATMENTS AND PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE Flowchart 7.1. Germplasm distribution. 98 Handbooks for Genebanks No. 8 Procedures for in-country seed distribution Step 1: Decide whether the accession can be distributed • Check the inventory database to see if the seed quantity in the genebank is sufficient ( Seed Processing, Seed Cleaning, Stone separator, Combo Cleaner, Grading Machine, Gravity Separator  )

for distribution