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Scientists have long realized the dangers of genetic erosion and have stressed
the need for timely action to salvage the country's still abundant genetic
resources. Based on the accumulated efforts of scientists, the
Israeli Gene Bank for Agricultural Crops (IGB)
was established in 1979 by then National Council for Research and Development
upon the recommendation of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture.
At present, the IGB is affiliated with two Ministries, the
Ministry of Science & Technology
and the
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
.The
IGB
collaborates with scientists from academic institutions and
from Israel's seed industry for proper preservation and sustainable use of Israel's
plant genetic resources.
IGB Objectives
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Preservation and characterization of plant-genetic resources in the flora of
Israel, mainly species that are related to agricultural and industrial crops and
those that are endemic, rare or in danger of extinction.
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Ex-situ
maintenance of the regional germplasm collections.
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In-situ
conservation of selected wild populations.
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Evaluation of the conserved accessions.
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Characterization of plant collections including phenotypic and
agronomic traits and genetic variation.
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Support and guidance of research focusing on plant genetic resources.
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National and international exchange of plant material.
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Promotion of national and international collaboration in workshops, conferences, and training activities.
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Promotion of public awareness of the assets present in regional gene pools
of wild relatives of crop plants.
IGB Activities
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Collect wild species
and landraces which are related to domesticated, cultivated crops
in an attempt to represent optimally the plant genetic diversity of Israeli
flora.
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Conserve the plants gene-pool
for long term period as a source of genes for the breeders for the future generation and for present activities and research.
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Evaluate and characterize the collections
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Test periodically the vitality of seed collections and regenerate seeds from
those exhibiting decreased vitality.
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Manage and maintain the IGB
documentation system
.
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Promote and support
research activities
related to Plant Genetic Resources (PGR).
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Promote and coordinate regional and
international cooperation
on PGR (research, database construction, workshops and courses)
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Disseminates information on IGB - through publications.
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Facilitate the exchange of plant material between national and international institutions and scientists.
Structure of the Israeli Gene Bank for Agricultural Crops
The Israeli Gene Bank for Agricultural Crops (IGB) has its headquarters at the
Volcani Center of Israel's Agricultural Research Organization
(ARO) at Bet Dagan. It is steered by a Scientific Executive Board
of ten members from public research
institutions and private industry. Board members are nominated jointly by the
chief scientist of the Ministry of Science and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Board plans and directs the activities of the Gene Bank, defines national
policy and sets priorities. It operates as a decentralized network,
each part of the network having its own area of expertise.
Institutes affiliated with the Israeli Gene Bank (IGB)
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