Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #303357
Title: A global conservation strategy for apple

Author
item Volk, Gayle
item Chao, Chihcheng
item Hummer, Kim

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2014
Publication Date: 6/24/2014
Citation: Volk, G.M., Chao, C.T., Hummer, K.E. 2014. A global conservation strategy for apple [abstract]. 7th International Rosaceae Genomics Conference. p. 28.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Apple (Malus x domestica) production is #17 for agricultural products both in the U.S. and world with a value of more than $31 billion worldwide. This important perennial crop is expensive to produce, with high costs for land, labor and inputs. The industry is dominated by a relatively few number of scion cultivars and rootstocks, which increases its susceptibility to threats of new diseases, pests, and changing climate conditions. There are approximately 38 wild Malus species which are native to Asia, Europe and North America. Some of these wild species exhibit desirable resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, unique fruit quality, and useful rootstock traits. Apple is an Annex 1 crop and is covered under the multilateral system of The International Treaty (IT) on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Countries that ratify the IT agree to make genetic resources and related information about these crops stored in their gene banks available to facilitate research and information exchange. Global Conservation Strategies have for many of the Annex 1 crops summarized the information available regarding gene bank collections, methods for conservation, and safe germplasm movement. This discussion will define the process of developing a global strategy for apple conservation. An expert committee will be chosen. A survey of global genebanks will be conducted. Global collections will be summarized and gaps will be discussed. The results will be summarized in recommendations for genebank standards for the management of apple genetic resources. Through the development of a Global Conservation Strategy for Apple, we aim to facilitate the flow of information and apple genetic resources internationally.