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Information about Preserved Cultivars and Accessions Updated

Date: 2020.09.18

In order to adapt our agriculture to present and future challenges, NordGen holds a collection of more than 33 000 seed samples that are regularly distributed to breeders, researchers, museum personnel and hobby growers. But in order to use the seeds, they need to be accompanied by accurate information. Knowing about the traits and characteristics of a plant is essential for any project within research or breeding. In a recent project, we have successfully updated our database with a lot of important data. Those who use our material now have access to accurate information that will help them succeed in their projects.

Databases are the heart of every genebank. They contain information about the seed samples and plants, their collection sites, characteristics and amount of seeds among other things. Until quite recently, some cultivars and accessions in NordGen’s database were missing some important information.

“Without information, seeds are worthless. If we know their origin, we’ll know more about their traits. For instance, if the plant has grown far up in the North, we can assume that it can handle long days and if perennial, cold winters. To make the seeds as valuable as possible for those who use them, we need to accompany the seeds with as much relevant information as possible, said Curator Jette Nydam Hansen.

Through a project funded by the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark, we have now managed to update our information system with valuable information.

“We looked for cultivars and accessions by names in other genebank databases, relevant publications and books or any relevant old documents. We then compared and updated our database. We are happy that we can provide better information to those who use our material’”, said Senior Seed Documentarist Scientist Mohammad El-Khalifeh.

In this project, NordGen has also collected some information from handwritten documents, old letters, photographs, old books, and articles that can be found in NordGen’s physical archives.

“It’s a pity if vital facts are lost in the archives”, Mohammad El-Khalifeh said.

During the project, a wide range of data has been updated in NordGen’s database, both in the data fields that were specifically targeted in the project, but also in many other fields.