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Managing Global Genetic Resources Agricultural Crop Issues and Policies (1993) / Chapter Skim
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8. Documentation of Genetic Resources
Pages 205-218

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From page 205...
... Readily accessible information is required to facilitate the exchange of materials and information among germplasm banks and to help the users in experimenting with conserved germplasm. Increasingly, genetic resources activities are being coordinated on a global scale, leading toward the realization of a cohesive worldwide network.
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From page 206...
... Descriptive Information Since descriptive information should support all kinds of decisions concerning the choice of material for utilization, it should contain the information most appropriate for that task, including information that is available from other germplasm-bank collections as well. The main reason cited by breeders for not using material in germplasm banks is that the information provided with accessions is either irrelevant to needs or too incomplete to be of use (Peelers and Williams, 1984~.
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From page 207...
... Sources of AcIditional Information Besides the data base on the particular collection, many addi tional sources of information can be used in managing a germplasm bank. These can be data bases on collections at other germplasm banks, central crop data bases, and data bases on related subjects.
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From page 208...
... Since many germplasm banks have computerized all or part of their collection data, it is possible to combine the data sets of individual germplasm banks for each crop into central crop data bases. This approach has great potential (Frese and van Hintum, 1989; Vanderborcht, 1988~.
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From page 209...
... , a standardized list of passport descriptors and a format for data exchange were proposed. Since 1978 IBPGR and collaborators have published descriptor lists (International Board for Plant Genetic Resources, 1982; International Board for Plant Genetic Resources et al., 1985; International Rice Research Institute and International Board for Plant Genetic Resources, 1980)
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From page 210...
... Since the early 1980s, the introduction of personal computers has greatly expanded the capacity to store and retrieve information. This equipment has been introduced in many germplasm banks and has the potential to greatly enhance data management capabilities.
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From page 211...
... Although these packages can be used for data storage, the facilities for data-base management functions, such as selective retrieval, can be limited or absent. These types of software packages are suitable only for data sets with a limited size and are not recommended for use as primary data management tools.
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From page 212...
... Data in the GRIN system are stored in a large, sophisticated data management system that is incompatible with the systems of other manufacturers. However, an individual requesting information can receive data from GRIN that have been reformatted to be compatible with most major commercially available data-base management software or that have been reformatted in ASCII code.
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From page 213...
... An alternative way to provide information to users is through the use of information service units at germplasm banks. The incorporation of stand-alone applications into national and international computer networks provides users with increasing possibilities to consult remote data bases using on-line data communication.
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From page 214...
... performed a survey for preparing crop inventories. Responses were received from 52 germplasm banks maintaining mostly minor collections of cereals or vegetables; these centers were located in Africa (2 centers)
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From page 215...
... , or seed management data (Frese and van Hintum, 1989; International Rice Research Institute, 1991~. Problems in compiling central data bases are generally caused by lack of interest, lack of funds, lack of computer facility, or incompatibility of data (International Board for Plant Genetic Resources, 1985b, 1986, 1989b; International Rice Research Institute, 1991~.
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From page 216...
... The availability of computerized information in a collection data base, in central crop data bases, and on-line in other data bases will change the management of genetic resources collections considerably
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From page 217...
... However, the protocols implemented for data management should follow those used in most widely available commercial data base applications. International crop germplasm data bases should be developed.
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Key Terms

  • germplasm banks
  • international board
  • plant genetic
  • central crop
  • crop data

  • collection data
  • germplasm bank
  • germplasm collections
  • software packages
  • germplasm collection

  • personal computers
  • rice research
  • international rice
  • central data
  • resources activities

  • van hintum
  • duplicate samples
  • sophisticated programming
  • resources documentation
  • management software

  • computer networks
  • suitable applications
  • regional collections
  • resources data
  • bases using

  • commercial data
  • collections worldwide
  • regeneration programs
  • crop directories
  • information accessible


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