Methods for processing and storage of seeds at the Gene Bank

The aim of genebanks is to maintain high-viability accessions for long periods.

The accessions in our genebank are collected over the years in cooperation and with the contribution of various farmer, researcher institutes within the country and other donors.

Two types of seed stores are used for conservation of genetic resources in our genebank

Base collections

In base collections seeds are stored for long periods at -18° to -20°C — to maintain seed viability for 50 years. We have 5222 accessions. Out of these, 4121 accessions are maintained as seeds, under long-term conservation, accessions from all species: cereals, legumes, vegetables, industrial crops, medicinal and aromatic plants and some wild relative crops.., the other 1101 accessions are fruit trees,olives and vines in field collection.

Normally, seeds are not distributed from base collections directly to users but are only used to regenerate active collections (FAO/IPGRI, 1994).

Active collections the accessions maintained in conditions that ensure at least 65% viability for 10–20 years at 4-5°C. We have approximately 900 accessions.  The active collections serves as sources material for breeders need and researcher institutes, also to exchange with the others homologous genebanks.