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Plant germplasm bank-upm

iNtroduction

Cuadro de texto: The Plant Germplasm Bank of the Technical University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM) belongs to the Plant Biology Department (Departamento de Biología Vegetal). Its main objective is to contribute to the ex situ conservation of wild plant species. The Plant Germplasm Bank is comprised of a seed bank, an in vitro conservation unit, and a field collection. The seed bank is the main core of the Germplasm Bank. Currently it preserves around 10,000 accessions of 3,500 species. There are two main collections, one devoted to endemic and endangered species of the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic islands and the Macaronesian region; the other to species of the Brassicaceae family. Recenty an in vitro conservation unit has been incorporated to maintain germplasm of Narcissus cavanillesii and Borderea chouardii under limited growth conditions, and a field collection of Mediterranean shrubby leguminosae species. The fact that the Plant Germplasm Bank belongs to a university department allows intensive and ongoing research activity in subjects related to the Bank; the stored plant material has been subject of numerous studies on characterization and on seed germination/conservation. The research activity of the Plant Biology Department can be found in the annual research reports (“Memorias de investigación”).

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Webmasters: M. Elena González Benito and David Draper Munt

Last update: 30-01-2009