A global strategy for the conservation and use of apple genetic resources

Authors: BRAMEL, PAULA - Global Crop Diversity Trust; Volk, Gayle

Submitted to: Scientific and Technical Review
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/28/2019
Publication Date: 8/30/2019
Citation: Bramel, P., Volk, G.M. 2019. A global strategy for the conservation and use of apple genetic resources. Scientific and Technical Review. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34072.34562.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34072.34562

Interpretive Summary: The development of new apple cultivars with improved quality and production traits is dependent upon breeders having access to a diverse array of apple genetic resources that are often maintained in genebank collections. "A Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Apple Genetic Resources" in collaboration with the Global Crop Diversity Trust to document the status of apple collections maintained in genebanks throughout the world. A survey was distributed and responses were received from 41 collections from six continents. Some site visits were also performed. Apple genebank collections are shown to be expensive, long-term investments that have been established for a variety of different purposes that include genetic studies, breeding, conservation, distribution, and public interest. Collection surveys and consultations concluded that the current conservation system for Malus has a focus on both common and novel diversity, with only limited sharing of accessions and their associated data for research. The strategy proposed the development of a Global Apple Diversity Platform to aid in the coordination among apple collections and to secure their long-term conservation and use. This platform will not only link collections and users into a global community but also facilitate community actions that have been identified as key needs for a secure, cost-effective, rational global system for the conservation and use of apple genetic resources for the long term. This strategy will serve as a framework to bring together stakeholders at all levels to build longterm support through greater awareness, increased capacity, greater community engagement, and sustained funding of apple genebank collections.

Technical Abstract: Worldwide, apples are amongst the most popular fruits, particularly in temperate climates. The development of new apple cultivars with a wider genetic base is dependent upon breeders having access to a diverse array of cultivars and germplasm. Breeding programs may maintain their own collections, but often they acquire new materials from public apple genebanks. Apples are traditionally conserved in field genebank collections as grafted cultivars. These collections are expensive, long-term investments that have been established for a variety of different purposes that include genetic studies, breeding, conservation, distribution, and public interest. The development of the global conservation strategy involved an initial background study, a survey of the status of major collections, several expert consultations, and some site visits. Collection surveys and consultations concluded that the current conservation system for Malus has a focus on both common and novel diversity, with only limited sharing of accessions and their associated data for research. A Global Apple Diversity Platform is proposed to secure the long-term conservation and use of apple genetic resources. This platform will not only link collections and users into a global community but facilitate community actions that have been identified as key needs for a secure, cost-effective, rational global system for the conservation and use of apple genetic resources for the long term.