Project Number: 1245-21000-270-04
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Jun 28, 2010
End Date: Jun 27, 2013

Objective:
Provide a non-monetary benefit to Morocco for providing access to U.S. scientists the access and export wild and cultivated plant genetic resources within Morocco.

Approach:
ARS is interested in the collection, conservation, evaluation, and use of genetic resources of agronomic and horticultural crops and closely related taxa native to Morocco. The NGRL/PEO project plan: 1275-21000-228-00D, has two objectives that directly relate to this agreement: 1) identify, collect and conserve needed plant genetic resources and 2). In compliance with international treaties and national policies, develop innovative approaches for access and benefit-sharing that enhance donor nations’ capacity to conserve, document, and use genetic resources, and provide NPGS access to these genetic resources. The Cooperator is interested in the collection, conservation, evaluation, and use of genetic resources of agronomic and horticultural species economically important to Morocco. This grant specifically supports the pollination controlled increase of seeds collected during the 2010 Joint Morocco-U.S. Plant Exploration for Beta and the initial characterization of the collected germplasm. Continued collaborations between ARS and the Cooperator will hopefully lead to additional plant explorations in Morocco and additional benefit sharing projects are likely under this grant.