Author Rao, N.K., Hanson, J., Dulloo, M.E., Ghosh, K., Nowell, D., & Larinde, M.

Year of publication 2006

Bioversity International’s Handbooks for Genebanks are intended to provide practical information to genebank curators and others working in genebanks. To facilitate their use their binding allows them to be kept open on a desk or bench, while the wide margins and ‘Notes’ pages provide space for readers to make notes or annotate the text. This publication addresses the storage of orthodox seeds in genebanks. The basic operations of a seed genebank include assemblage, processing, conservation, regeneration and distribution of germplasm. Major activities and procedures for genebank operation are generally the same across genebanks, although they may vary somewhat. It is important to note that this manual focuses solely on seedhandling procedures and does not cover documentation, collecting or characterization procedures in great detail; these subjects are well covered by other publications. Readers should consult the literature to gain a better understanding of these important genebank activities.