TECHNIQUES FOR GERMPLASM CONSERVATION

The course aims to provide the knowledge and skills students about the different methods of germplasm conservation (collection in kind of plant material and storage at specialized centers, called "seed banks"). The course also includes the laboratory activities in which students apply the techniques of germplasm conservation in the short and long term.
This knowledge will help to understand the best strategies to preserve the genetic heritage of the endangered plant species and for the ones presenting a conservation interest, in order to develop protocols for multiplication to ensuring an adequate reservoir of germplasm used for habitat restoration programs.

The course (3 + 3 CFU) will be held by conducting lectures, accompanied by power point presentations that are made available to students, and laboratory exsperiences in the Seed Bank.

Importance of plants and the need for their conservation. normative references on the conservation of germplasm. The role of the germplasm bank. The germplasm bank operating in Europe and in Italy. Examples of conservation of germplasm in Italy. Examples of national and European coordination networks: RIBES (Italian Network Banks germplasm for ex-situ conservation of Italian spontaneous flora); ENSCONET (European Native Seed Conservation Network); GENMEDOC (Banques de semences de la Méditerranée). Techniques for seeds conservation. Treatment of germplasm before storing. Seed Conservation: short term and long term. Tests of germination and monitoring for the control of the quality of the seeds and of the ecophysiological needs.

All text books available on-line

1. Manuale per la raccolta, studio, conservazione e gestione ex situ del germoplasma (http://veprints.unica.it/786/1/64-MANUALE_GERMOPLASMA_%282006%29.pdf)
2. La conservazione ex situ della biodiversità delle specie vegetali spontanee e coltivate in Italia (https://www.cbd.int/iyb/doc/celebrations/iyb-Italy-ISPRA-article-it.pdf)
3. Manuale ENSCONET per la raccolta dei semi delle piante spontanee (http://www-3.unipv.it/labecove/conservazione/manualecampo.pdf.)
4. Manuale ENSCONET Protocolli di trattamento & Raccomandazioni (http://ensconet.maich.gr/PDF/Curation_protocol_Italian.pdf)
5. Linee guida per la traslocazione di specie vegetali spontanee (http://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/biblioteca/protezione_natura/qcn_38_linee_guida_traslocazione_specie.pdf)