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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Plant Introduction Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #185914
Title: A COMPREHENSIVE ECHINACEA GERMPLASM COLLECTION LOCATED AT THE NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL PLANT INTRODUCTION STATION, AMES, IOWA

Author
item McCoy, Joe Ann
item Widrlechner, Mark
item Carstens, Jeffrey

Submitted to: International Plant Propagators Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/12/2005
Publication Date: 10/1/2006
Citation: Mccoy, J.H., Widrlechner, M.P., Carstens, J.D. 2006. A comprehensive Echinacea germplasm collection located at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, Ames, Iowa. International Plant Propagators Society Proceedings. 55:439-440.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Echinacea is a well-established, high value crop, both as an ornamental and dietary supplement. A comprehensive collection of Echinacea germplasm is currently held at the USDA-ARS North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station (NCRPIS) in Ames, Iowa and is available via seed distribution for research purposes (http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs). The NCRPIS’s mission includes: 1.) the conservation of genetically-diverse crop germplasm through collection and acquisition; 2.) the conduct of germplasm-related research; and 3.) the encouragement of the use of the germplasm collections and associated information for research, crop improvement and product development. Representing all nine species collected throughout their respective North American geographic ranges, the Echinacea collection includes 159 accessions. Extensive morphological characterization data associated with the collection have been assembled and are available to researchers to aid in selection criteria. The collection has been used extensively for various research projects ranging from ornamental breeding studies for the horticulture trade to HPLC analysis of metabolites of interest to the phytopharmaceutical industry.