Plant genetic resources training materials deemed essential by international survey

Authors: Volk, Gayle; Bretting, Peter; BYRNE, PATRICK - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/8/2019
Publication Date: 11/21/2019
Citation: Volk, G.M., Bretting, P.K., Byrne, P.F. 2019. Plant genetic resources training materials deemed essential by international survey. Crop Science. 59:2308-2316. https://doi.org//10.2135/cropsci2019.05.0324.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2019.05.0324

Interpretive Summary: High quality plant collections, such as the collection maintained by the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, must be maintained by personnel with specialized skills, based on a foundation of expertise in numerous fields. The lack of formal training opportunities in plant genetic resource management, both in the U.S. and globally, represents a challenge to plant genebanks whenever new personnel must be hired. A survey was developed and distributed to representatives of the worldwide plant genetic resources community to assess the needs for specific topics of training materials and preferred delivery methods. Survey respondents agreed that there is a shortage of high quality learning materials on plant genetic resources, that learning materials would be useful for researchers in their current positions, would advance careers, and would be useful in teaching or providing information to others. Overall, there is strong support for the development and implementation of plant genetic resource management training materials that must be designed to benefit multiple audiences, especially currently employed personnel and graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scientists. The highest percentage of survey respondents preferred training materials in the form of short videos, web pages with information, online lessons, and links to other training available. Survey respondents indicated that fee-based face-to-face workshops and online courses (non-credit) were also of interest. Overall, these results document a clear need to provide plant genetic resources training materials to ensure global plant collections are curated with the best-available technologies and techniques.

Technical Abstract: High quality plant collections are maintained by personnel with specialized skills, based on a foundation of expertise in numerous fields. The lack of formal training opportunities in plant genetic resource management, both in the U.S. and globally, represents a challenge to plant genebanks whenever new personnel are hired. A survey was developed and distributed to representatives of the worldwide plant genetic resources community to assess the needs for specific topics and preferred delivery methods of training materials. A total of 425 survey responses were received that were suitable for detailed analyses. Survey respondents included those from academia (higher education), the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS), Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) genebanks, government genebanks (non NPGS-affiliated), non-governmental organizations (NGO), and the private sector. Survey respondents agreed that there is a shortage of high-quality learning materials on plant genetic resources, and that learning materials would be useful for researchers in their current positions, would advance careers, and would be useful in teaching or providing information to others. Overall, there is strong support for the development and implementation of plant genetic resource management training materials. The highest average priority topics across all the responses were phenotyping, crop wild relatives, associated information, and genotyping, followed by collection gap analysis, germplasm preservation, prebreeding, intellectual property, plant genetic diversity, genebank management, requests/distributions, regulations, and plant explorations. Although still considered important, the lowest average priority topics were genebank success stories and virtual tours. The proposed training materials must be designed to benefit multiple audiences, especially currently employed personnel and graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scientists. The highest percentage of survey respondents preferred training materials in the form of short videos, web pages with information, online lessons, and links to other training available. Survey respondents indicated that fee-based face-to-face workshops and online courses (non-credit) were also of interest. Overall, these results document a clear need to provide plant genetic resources training materials to ensure global plant collections are curated with the best-available technologies and techniques.