GENETIC RESOURCES OF TEMPERATE FRUITS AND TREE NUTS

Recently the FAO/IBPGR programme on plant genetic resources has included a number of temperate fruits and tree nuts in its global activities (almond, apple, apricot, cherry, grape, peach and nectarine, pear and quince, plum, strawberry and walnut). A review of this programme is presented.

In order to assemble information on these genetic resources, consultancies were organized in Pakistan and Syria. In addition the USDA Northwest Plant Germplasm Repository has initiated a study on genetic vulnerability of these crops, which is likely to receive IBPGR support.

Further collection of germplasm of temperate fruits and nuts is being stimulated and partially financed by IBPGR in areas of high diversity (e.g. Greece, Nepal, Pakistan, Yugoslavia).

Studies on appropriate conservation methods (field genebanks, seed and pollen storage, in vitro and in situ conservation) have been initiated and a Manual on conservation of fruit germplasm will be prepared.

To encourage the characterization and evaluation of existing collections, standard descriptor lists are being issued. Descriptor lists are or will shortly be available for almond, apple, apricot, cherry, grape, peach, pear and plum.

Major emphasis and support is being given to the documentation of existing collections and the establishment of central data bases for:

• European apple collections, IBPGR/EUCARPIA;
• European Prunus collections, IBPGR/Nordic Gene Bank; and
• Global Vitis collections, FAO/IBPGR/OIV.