Germplasm
Germplasm is plant genetic material preserved or used for breeding and research, including seeds, tissues, cells, and whole plants.
Plant genetic resources: Heritable material from plants with actual or potential value for food, agriculture, or other uses. Germplasm is the material basis of these resources.
Plant breeding: The development of plant varieties with desired traits through selection, crossing, or other methods. Breeders draw on germplasm to find useful traits and parental lines.
Plant cryopreservation: The preservation of plant cells, tissues, or organs at ultra-low temperatures, usually in liquid nitrogen. Cryopreservation can maintain germplasm for long periods with little biological change.
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: A 2001 international agreement governing conservation and exchange of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Its multilateral system facilitates access to specified crop germplasm and benefit sharing.
Germplasm accession: A distinct sample of genetic material maintained as a unit in a collection. Accession identity and documentation determine what a genebank's holdings actually represent.
Plant genetic diversity: Variation in genes and traits among plant populations and species. This variation gives germplasm its value for adaptation and breeding.
Genebank: An institution or facility that collects and safeguards genetic resources for future use. Genebanks document and distribute accessions of plant germplasm.
Seed viability: A seed's capacity to germinate and produce a normal seedling under suitable conditions. Viability testing indicates whether stored seed germplasm can still be regenerated.
Convention on Biological Diversity: A 1992 international treaty addressing biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and benefit sharing. It establishes broad principles governing access to genetic resources and associated benefits.
Core collection: A subset of a larger genetic collection selected to represent its diversity efficiently. Core collections reduce screening effort, but selection may omit rare variation.