Annual Report

1998Int

erna

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Str

ategic

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Improving conservation strategies and technologiesUnderstanding the extent and distribution of diversity; supporting collecting of genetic resources;improving ex situ and in situ conservation and developing integrated approaches

Increasing the use of plant genetic resourcesImproving methods of using ex situ conserved germplasm; supporting conservation through use;supporting increased use of diversity in production

Managing and communicating informationImproving germplasm documentation; supporting SINGER and the Musa germplasm informationsystem; providing technical information; increasing public awareness

Addressing socioeconomic and policy issuesDetermining links between diversity and socioeconomic factors; meeting gender concerns andincreasing participation; valuing genetic resources; supporting improved policy-making

Conserving and using specific cropsSupporting work on Musa (through the INIBAP programme), coconut and cocoa; improving conserva-tion of neglected and underused species; conserving wild relatives of crops

Conserving and using forest genetic resourcesConserving intraspecific diversity through sustainable use; supporting network development; improv-ing ex situ conservation techniques

Working with networksSupporting established regional, crop and thematic networks and helping to develop new ones tostrengthen international collaboration

Strengthening national systemsSupporting improved germplasm management strategies and technologies; providing training andassistance in capacity-building; giving advice and information on policy

Acro

nym

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ADB Asian Development BankAPO Asia, the Pacific and OceaniaBMZ Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche

Zusammenarbeit, GermanyCAPGERNet Caribbean Plant Genetic Resources NetworkCFC Common Fund for Commodities, EUCGIAR Consultative Group on International

Agricultural ResearchCIAT Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical,

Colombia - CGIARCIP Centro Internacional de la Papa, Peru -

CGIARCIRAD Centre de Coopération Internationale en

Recherche Agronomique pour leDéveloppement

COGENT International Coconut Genetic Resources Net-work

CTA Technical Centre for Agricultural and RuralCooperation, the Netherlands

CWANA Central and West Asia and North AfricaDFID Department for International DevelopmentDIT Documentation, Information and TrainingECP/GR European Cooperative Programme for Crop

Genetic Resources NetworksEUFORGEN European Forest Genetic Resources

ProgrammeFAO Food and Agricultural Organization of the

United NationsGIS Geographic Information SystemsGPA Global Plan of ActionGRST Genetic Resources Science and TechnologyGTZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische

Zusammenarbeit, GermanyIAEG Impact Assessment and Evaluation GroupIDB Inter-American Development BankIDRC International Development Research Centre,

CanadaIFAD International Fund for Agricultural Develop-

mentIICA Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación

para la Agricultura, Costa RicaIITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,

Nigeria - CGIAR

IMTP International Musa Testing ProgrammeINIBAP International Network for the Improvement

of Banana and Plantain, Montpellier -IPGRI/CGIAR

IPGRI International Plant Genetic ResourcesInstitute, Italy - CGIAR

IRRI International Rice Research Institute, thePhilippines - CGIAR

KUL Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, BelgiumLACNET INIBAP Regional Network for Latin America

and the Caribbean, Costa RicaNRI National Resources International, UKPARC CGIAR Public Awareness and Resources

CommitteePROCISUR Programa Cooperativo para el Desarrollo

Tecnológico Agropecuario del Cono Sur,Argentina

RAPD Random amplified polymorphic DNAREDARFIT Andean Network on Plant Genetic

ResourcesREMERFI Mesoamerican Network on Plant Genetic

ResourcesRISBAP Regional Information System for Banana

and Plantain - Asia and the Pacific, INIBAPSSA Sub-Saharan AfricaSGRP System-wide Genetic Resources

Programme - CGIARSINGER System-wide Information Network for

Genetic Resources - CGIARTBRI Taiwan Banana Research InstituteTROPIGEN Amazonian Plant Genetic Resources

NetworkUNDP United Nations Development ProgrammeUNEP United Nations Environment ProgrammeUSAID United States Agency for International

Development, USAUSDA United States Department of Agriculture,

USAVIR N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry,

RussiaWANANET West Asia and North Africa Network for

Genetic Resources

3Annual Report1998

In the four years since the publication of its first strategic plan, Diversity for Develop-ment, IPGRI has worked hard to keep pace with the rapid evolution of global geneticresources efforts. The growth in the institute’s programmes, its increased emphasis onpolicy and on promoting the use of genetic resources led IPGRI to commence a process ofinternal stocktaking in 1998. The process, which drew on the wisdom and experience ofIPGRI’s staff and partners, will result in the production of a new strategy, to coincide withthe institute’s 25th anniversary next year.

IPGRI’s strategy for the coming years is based on the knowledge that the use of plantgenetic resources makes a vital contribution to the development of human society. Plantgenetic resources are the key to food security, providing a vast array of cereals, pulses,vegetables, fruits and other foods for human consumption in addition to feeding theanimals that supply us with meat, milk and eggs. They contribute to the eradication ofpoverty, both by providing cheaper food and raw materials for poor consumers and byraising and diversifying the incomes of rural producers and processors. And they protectand enhance the environment, through enriching the soil, preventing erosion by wind andrain, sustaining birds, insects and animals and absorbing atmospheric carbon.

IPGRI has chosen to concentrate its efforts on eight strategic areas of work. All areessential to fulfilling IPGRI’s mission and reflect a strong demand from its partners:national and international institutions, non-governmental organizations, universities,advanced research institutes, farmers and community groups.

This Annual Report provides a glimpse of IPGRI’s work in each of these strategic areas.We are confident that, given the sustained support of the CGIAR and our donors, we cancontinue to make a strong and focused contribution to global efforts to conserve and usegenetic diversity for the benefit of the poor and disadvantaged throughout the developingworld.

Geoffrey Hawtin Marcio de Miranda SantosDirector General Board Chair

Foreword to IPGRI’s 1998Annual Report

ContentsForeword 3Programme highlights

Conservation strategies 4Core collections: accessing diversity 7Information initiatives 9Leafy vegetables: an essential crop 11Musa and coconut 12Bamboo and rattan: major forest products 15Networking in the Americas 16Safeguarding unique resources 18

Institutional structure 19Financial report 20Financial support 20Establishment Agreement 21IPGRI’s projects 22IPGRI’s Board of Trustees 23IPGRI’s management team 23

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Girls in a Zambianwheatfield

4Annual Report1998

Improving conservation strategiesand technologies

IPGRI is supporting the development of new knowledge on thestrategies and technologies of conserving genetic resources. Itis also looking for the best way to apply this knowledge,particularly in resource-poor environments. Understanding theextent, structure and distribution of genetic diversity is vital toeffective conservation. Effective ways to measure, describe,classify and monitor genetic diversity are essential. An IPGRIproject is identifying key problems in measuring geneticdiversity. Case studies with collaborating national programmeshave made locating, monitoring and collecting genetic diversitymuch more efficient. Ex situ conservation remains a funda-mental element in genetic resources work. IPGRI is makingimportant advances in the technology of ex situ storage, inparticular in developing ways to store seed effectively withoutexpensive and energy-dependent refrigeration facilities.

ConservationS

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Knowing how genetic diversity is distributed within a genepool and how it changes in time isthe first step in planning a strategy for how to conserve it. IPGRI and its partners are measuringand monitoring genetic diversity with ethnobotanical, molecular and more conventional morpho-logical approaches. For example, a study in southern China compared how local people’s know-ledge of genetic diversity in taro (Colocasia escuIenta), an important root crop cultivated in theregion for thousands of years, compares with the results obtained from DNA markers. The localpeople had a deep understanding of variation within the crop, particularly the morphologicalcharacteristics of the material that were most important to the users. The results of the study werea significant input into the national conservation strategy developed for the crop by the Chinesenational programme.

Analyzing diversity using geographicinformation systemsOnce the genetic diversity occurring in different places within a country or region has beenmeasured, national programmes need tools and methodologies to manage and analyze theinformation to reveal patterns, associations and anomalies. Geographic information systems (GIS)are becoming valuable tools for managing information on plant diversity. IPGRI is carrying outcase studies applying GISmethodologies to the distributionof diversity of different crops andwild species in Latin Americaand Africa. One study is lookingat cultivated peanuts in anumber of Latin Americancountries. The distribution ofgenetic diversity in cropsdepends not just on environ-mental factors such as climateand soil, but also to a greatextent on the preferences andpractices of farmers. Associa-tions between socioeconomic

What is a geographicalinformation system?

A geographical information system as-sembles, stores, manipulates and displaysdifferent types of data identified by theirlocation on the Earth’s surface. It makes itpossible to integrate complex spatialinformation from many different sources, andthen analyze and model the data in differentways to reveal patterns, relationships andalternative scenarios. GIS technology hasenhanced the efficiency and analytic powerof traditional mapping. Now, as the scientific community recog-nizes the environmental consequences of human activity, GIStechnology is becoming an essential tool in the effort to under-stand the process of global change. Data from different map andremote sensing sources can be combined in models that simu-late and predict the interactions of complex natural systems.The outputs of these models - not just maps, but drawings,graphs, animations - allow researchers to view the condition ofthe Earth’s surface, atmosphere and subsurface in novel ways.GIS technology gives researchers the ability to examine thevariations in Earth processes over days, months, and years. Asan example, the changes in vegetation cover in a semi-aridregion through the year or at a given point in the growing seasonin a number of successive years can be compared to determinewhen the rains began and when a drought was at its mostsevere. These techniques can be applied to many aspects ofplant genetic resources work, including tracking deforestationand desertification, locating sites of potential occurrence of aparticular species and determining the most appropriate time tocollect germplasm.

Thanks to the U.S. Geological Survey (http://www.usgs.gov/research/gis/title.html) for thisdescription.

strategies

5Annual Report1998

and cultural factors and genetic diversity might therefore beexpected.

The national programme of Ecuador, the United States Depart-ment of Agriculture (USDA) and IPGRI collected peanutsthroughout Ecuador (Fig. 1). Characterization data are beinganalyzed in conjunction with digital information on climate,elevation, communications, land use and a variety of socio-economic variables. The resulting maps (Fig. 2) pinpoint hotspotsof peanut genetic diversity. Americas Group staff, working closelywith scientists from the Centro Internacional de AgriculturaTropical (CIAT) GIS Laboratory, the USDA National GermplasmResources Laboratory and national programmes are looking forcorrelations between different environmental and socioeconomicvariables and the level of peanut diversity in different regionswithin Ecuador. Two scientists, both GIS users, one fromEcuador and one from Guatemala, contributed invaluableenvironmental and census data from their countries in digitizedform and learned new techniques of applying this information tospecific conservation problems.

The predictive model developed with the Ecuadorian data will betested in Guatemala, where the extent and distribution of nativepeanut diversity is largely unknown. Maps similar to thosedeveloped for the Ecuador model will be assembled using thesame environmental and socioeconomic variables. To test themodel, peanut diversity is being collected throughout Guatemala.Field observations and subsequent characterization will deter-mine the efficiency of the model in predicting areas of highestdiversity of peanut landraces.

SignificanceThe model and methodology are an exciting combination of well-established and innovative methods. They will be a valuable toolfor planning both collecting missions and in situ conservationefforts in areas where there is little prior information on thedistribution and structure of genetic diversity. IPGRI is alsocollaborating with CIAT and CIP in developing specialized, easy-to-use software to analyze and display genetic resourcesinformation on maps. Such maps, with their immediacy andclarity, will be useful to genetic resources scientists in planningtheir work and making it more effective and also have greatpotential as decision-support tools for communities and policy-makers.

Fig. 1. Botanicalvarieties ofpeanut (Arachisspp.) accessionscollected inEcuador

Fig. 2. Combin-ing differentforms of datareveals theconcentrationsof peanut geneticdiversity. (Thelarger the spotthe greater thediversity)

Peanut genetic diversity in Ecuador

vulgarisperuvianahypogaeahirsutafastigiataaequatoriana

<500501-10001001-20002001-300>3000

Elevation (m)

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Sorting the peanuts that were collected in Ecuador

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6Annual Report1998

Conservation technologiesMany species produce ‘orthodox’ seeds that can be dried and stored for up to 50 years at lowtemperatures (-18oC). These low-temperature genebanks hold a great deal of valuable material. Itis fairly simple to hold and monitor the seeds of species that will tolerate such conditions. How-ever, the genebanks themselves are expensive to construct and maintain and a reliable source ofelectricity is fundamental to running the refrigeration systems. The power supply in resource-poorcountries is often unstable and genebanks often find the cost of the electricity, and back-upsystems, too high. In addition, many seed genebanks do not have the facilities or resources toconserve seeds under the very best conditions, i.e. low temperatures and low water contents.IPGRI is working on a global experiment with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, theInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics in India and the National SeedStorage Laboratory in the US to develop alternative approaches.

Ultradry storageResearch has shown that many seeds will stay viable for long periods, even when they are storedat room temperature, if they are dried more than usual. This is called ‘ultradry storage.’ A lowermoisture level allows the seeds to be stored at higher temperatures and hence more cheaply.They do not need so much elaborate and costly refrigeration. The two parameters, water contentand storage temperature, are closely linked. Researchers are working to find the combination thatwill keep the seeds in the best condition for the longest period.

In 1999, another thread of the research work illustrated the damage that over-drying seeds cancause. Early damage shows itself when the plantlets produced from the dried seed begin to losetheir vigour as they grow. Greater damage decreases the viability of the seeds themselves, untilfinally all germination ability is lost. The different levels of damage had never been illustratedclearly before. These very significant results have allowed the participating laboratories to begin tosystematically eliminate the conditions that produce these effects.

SignificanceThis approach will be extremely valuable, especially in developing countries. The work is produc-ing a set of specific conditions for longer term storage of seeds at higher temperatures. Theseexperiments open the way for workers to find the water content at which seeds of various species

live longest when stored atroom temperature or justbelow. The protocols will befar more economical andalmost as effective asexpensive low-temperaturestorage methods, producingtremendous benefits for theway seeds are stored and thediversity they contain. Theend result will be more securestorage of germplasm toguarantee its availability foruse into the future.

Results obtained during 1998 showed that lettuce seedsstored at 50°C and dried over zinc chloride were beststored with a moisture content of 5.5% relative humidity(RH). Further work indicated that the optimum level forseed stored at 35°C would fall between 13% and 25%RH. Seeds stored at 20°C have their optimum some-where below 43% RH. Researchers are using theselimits to work out the combination of conditions that willconserve the seeds in good condition for the longestperiod.

Ultradry lettuce

55oC 5.5 RH

35oC

20oC

13-25% RH

43% RH

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Increasing the use of plantgenetic resources

IPGRI’s new strategy emphasizes using diversity for develop-ment. By ‘use’, IPGRI means exploiting diversity to supportgenetic enhancement, genetic enhancement itself, and deploy-ing traditional or enhanced germplasm to enrich productionsystems. IPGRI is increasing its work on promoting the use ofconserved germplasm by professional plant breeders, research-ers, development workers and others involved in improvingagricultural productivity. The Institute is also looking for ways toincrease the access that farmers have to the material andexploring ways to increase the diversity of production systems.Ex situ collections can become very large and finding accessionswith specific, useful characters can be difficult. One approach isto develop a subset of the material, known as ‘core collections’.They represent as much as possible of the collected diversity ina limited number of germplasm samples. An IPGRI initiative,these core collections are making access easier to the diversityof a crop genepool and in particular to that present in largegenebank collections. IPGRI has taken a leading role in develop-ing this innovative concept to the stage where the methodologiesare now practical and reliable.

Strategic choice

Core collections consist of limited sets of accessionsof an existing collection, chosen to represent the spectrum ofthe genetic diversity of the whole collection. The cores includeas much as possible of the genetic diversity found in thewhole collection. This makes using the resources mucheasier and helps genebank managers identify gaps or over-represented groups of material in their collections. IPGRI hassupported a range of initiatives to develop, manage and usecore collections. The work has successfully developed andtested methodologies to establish representative core collec-tions, published the data internationally and developed tools totransfer the knowledge direct to genebank staff.

One key objective of IPGRI’s work has been to explore howdeveloping country genebanks with limited resources canbest establish core collections. China and India have eachestablished germplasm collections of over 4000 accessions ofsesame. These collections contain largely indigenous culti-vated material (local varieties) and represent a significant partof the world’s ex situ holdings (30-40%). To improve themanagement and use of this germplasm, the Oil CropsResearch Institute of the Chinese Academy of AgriculturalSciences and National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, India worked with IPGRI to developcore collections.

Both core collections consist of about 10% of the collections from which they were made, i.e.approximately 400 accessions each. They were established by grouping accessions from similarecogeographic regions with similar agromorphological characters and taking a sample from eachgroup. In China seven agroecological groups were established. In India agroecological andagromorphological grouping formed 20 groups from which accessions were selected. Tests usingmorphological and isozyme variation indicated that both core collections contained over 70% ofthe diversity present in theoriginal collections, provingthat the concept of corecollections was worthwhile.

IPGRI co-hosted a one-daysymposium on core collec-tions with the Crop ScienceSociety of America at theirannual meeting in Baltimorein 1998. Papers discussedcore collection methodologyand described work onestablishing and using corecollections of peanut, cas-sava, beans, grasses,Medicago and other crops.The results of an internationalsurvey of core collectionsmade by IPGRI showed that

Core collections:accessing diversity

A core collection made upof 10% of the 4000 sesameaccessions in Indian andChinese collectionscontained 70% of thegenetic diversity repre-sented in each collection.

Sesame core collections make diversity easier to manage

4000 accessionsdiversity = 100%

400 accessionsdiversity = 70%

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8Annual Report1998

the methodology is now mature enough for wider distribution. A technical bulletin is being preparedgiving detailed guidelines on how to establish a core collection. Together with the ways of makingsure that enough diversity is available for sampling, the methodology also advises on the subse-quent maintenance of the collection.

SignificanceCore collections have proved themselves as a useful way to manage a significant part of thediversity present in whole collections. In both China and India the core collections have been madeavailable to plant breeders and, in India, users have already requested further studies of the coreto find variation in key characters such as germination capacity, establishment and resistance towaterlogging. Publishing the methodology is stimulating the development of core collectionsaround the world. This will make it much easier to access resources with useful or needed geneticdiversity. Using this material in breeding programmes will ultimately lead to more productive cropsand safeguard the income of many resource-poor farmers.

Core collections makemanaging genebanks likethis one easier and thediversity in the material moreaccessibleA

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9Annual Report1998

Increasing access to dataInformation networking involves both active exchange ofinformation and preparing the national programmes for informa-tion exchange. The IPGRI’s Regional Office for APO is workingto develop tools that national programmes can use for informa-tion exchange. Staff developed a data interchange protocol(DIP) that can be used to set up networked information systems.Most national programmes are understandably reluctant tochange their existing information systems (see below, left). Theinvaluable feature of DIP is that the control and maintenance ofthe information stays with the provider, but virtual centraldatabases can be established to increase the use of existingdata and add value to the resources. The system allows data tobe exchanged between different software systems to quicklyestablish information networks. The protocol is being promotedaround the region and has increased the access to data re-sources of many institutions. For example, the DIP format andDIPVIEW software are being used by the National Bureau ofPlant Genetic Resources, New Delhi to develop electronicgermplasm catalogues. Ten catalogues have so far been prepared. The software is also used byother institutions in India such as the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Luknow and the AllIndia Coordinated Research Project on minor millets, Bangalore. The South Asia Network onPlant Genetic Resources agreed to use the DIP format to develop an information network amongSouth Asian countries.

SignificanceDIP is a low-cost system that makes germplasm databases widely accessible, allowing informa-tion networks to be quickly established and increasing the usefulness of the material.

InformationS

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Managing and communicatinginformation

Information plays a central role in plant genetic resourceswork. Accurate information about conserved materials isessential if they are to be used well. Computerized documen-tation systems assist in the management of material ingenebanks and provide information to users. IPGRI main-tains databases on ex situ germplasm holdings and in 1998significantly increased the accessibility of these data bymaking its databases available for searching on the Internet(http://www.cgiar.org/ipgri/doc/dbintro.htm). IPGRI continuesto participate in the System-wide Information Network onGenetic Resources (SINGER), a project of the System-wideGenetic Resources Programme (SGRP) that providesInternet access to information on genetic resources availablein the CGIAR in-trust collections. As well as distributingconventional publications, IPGRI has expanded the informa-tion that it has available for downloading from its Web site. Italso continued an active public awareness programme on theimportance of genetic resources.

initiatives

DIP in action

The protocol is able to obtain information from a variety ofdatabases and display it all in the simple DOS form. Theindividual parts can then be manipulated in a word processor,or amalgamated and displayed in a specially developedspreadsheet or database system. Adding value to the data in

this way allowsthe users togain access toa wide range ofinformationresourcespreviouslydenied tothem.

10Annual Report1998

The CGIAR series ‘Last PlantStanding’ was seen in 90 millionhomes

Threatened diversity on televisionIncreasing the public’s awareness of the importance of genetic resources is essential to maintainlong-term support. IPGRI staff helped supervise the production of a four-part series of televisiondocumentaries entitled ‘Last Plant Standing.’ The series dealt with threats to genetic diversityaround the world and the benefits that come from conserving the material. Programmes wereproduced on behalf of the CGIAR by Acacia Productions for Television Trust for the Environment,an international non-governmental organization that uses broadcast television and other ways toraise environmental awareness. Japan provided principal funding for the project. Further supportcame from the International Development Research Centre, Canada, the Department for Interna-tional Development, UK and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The full series was broadcastin Japan to very positive response, and a half-hour version was broadcast on BBC World Televi-sion in November 1998. After airing on the world’s two biggest public service networks, the serieswas made available to TV stations throughout the world and has been shown in many countriessince.

SignificanceThe television programmes were received in 90 million homes in the first year, making the issuesinvolved in conserving genetic resources understandable to a wider audience and informing thegeneral public about the impact that diversity can have in agricultural productivity, increasing foodsupply and protecting the environment.

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Addressing socioeconomicand policy issues

IPGRI’s work on the human and policy dimensions of geneticresources seeks to strengthen the link between managinggenetic resources, rural development and food security. Keysocioeconomic issues addressed include gender, nutrition,incomes, equity and value. In the policy area, IPGRI providesinformation and analysis of legal and policy developments andtheir implications. This work contributes to better informed andmore effective policies for conservation and use of geneticresources. IPGRI investigates how key economic and policyfactors affect national and international decisions on themanagement and the availability of genetic resources. A projecton traditional African leafy vegetables in Africa yielded someimportant insights into the diversity, uses and farmer manage-ment of germplasm that challenged conventional beliefs,conclusions supported by work in China.

Even though leafy vegetables are important in the diet ofmany African countries, development specialists and agriculturalscientists believed that the vegetables were not widely culti-vated. Farmers were thought to pay little attention to variation ofspecific characters within the species but IPGRI project re-search found the reverse. Farmers actively cultivated leafyvegetables and the diversity within the species often influencedhow the farmers managed their growing activities. For example,bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) turned out to have severaldistinct genotypes with different degrees of bitterness that meetthe different dietary preferences of different cultural groups.Farmers would select the material they planted depending onwho would be eating and buying the leaves.

The black nightshades (Solanum nigrum complex) are valued inthe food cultures of the forest zones. While S. nigrum growseasily and spontaneously, the seeds for the preferred types areproduced outside the forest zone and are the subject of alucrative seed trade. It is essential for farmers to grow the right variety so that they can supplyseeds of plants that meet consumer tastes, require little preparation and produce most yield. Thestudies documented the value of these leafy vegetables in maximizing the productivity of smallparcels of land and maintaining the stability of ecosystems within the farming systems.

Once farmers invest significant amounts of time and resources in producing these crops, theybegin to make choices concerned with the genetic diversity they know is contained in the variet-ies. For example, some traditional leafy vegetables such as Cleome gynandra have insect-repellent properties that may make them important in reducing pest infestation and pesticide usein the intensive cultivation of vegetables for export. This cultivation can also provide affordable andnutritious vegetables for local consumption. It is this sort of ethnobotanical knowledge that is mostvaluable when it is passed on to other farmers.

A study made in southern China compared how ethnobotanical knowledge and molecular mark-ers describe and classify genetic diversity in taro (Colocasia escuIenta), an important cropcultivated in the region for thousands of years. The diversity revealed by the molecular analysisshowed that farmers and ethnic communities use a broaderrange of taro genetic diversity. The farmers were activelydeveloping new uses for taro from genetically divergent sources,such as cultivating taro flowers as a high-value vegetable. Thislocal knowledge highlighted the morphological characteristics ofthe material that were most important to the actual users.

SignificanceSubsistence crops and wild plant species are major parts of theagriculture in many developing countries and have a significantrole in nutrition, food security and income generation. IPGRI’ssocioeconomic work is opening up ways to increase the foodsupply to the local populations, raise incomes and stimulateeconomic activity, as well as increase the effectiveness of in situconservation of valuable biodiversity.

Strateg ic c

o iceLeafy vegetables:

The blacknightshades

The black nightshadesare widely used as leafyvegetables and as asource of fruit andmedicinal herbs. Increas-ing their productivity andprotecting their geneticbase is essential toprotect the livelihood oflow-income farmers inWest Africa.

an essential crop

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12Annual Report1998

Viruses - a major constraintin MusaBanana and plantain are extremely important food and cashcrops for hundreds of millions of people throughout the develop-ing world. The International Network on Banana and Plantain(INIBAP) is responsible for conserving the world collection ofMusa diversity, which is maintained at the INIBAP TransitCentre in Belgium. By the end of 1998, 51% of the collectionhad been duplicated for safety and 66% had been virus in-dexed. The molecular techniques used in characterizing thecollection are confirming previous classifications based onmorphologic characteristics. This work, together with greaterefficiency in detecting virus contamination with the opening of anew virus indexing centre in South Africa in 1998, is increasingthe use of the material in the collection.

Virus contamination is a constant threat in Musa, and thebanana streak virus (BSV) is now the most widespread virusinfection, causing damage and loss of income in the developing

world. Sequences of the DNA of the virus are actually integrated into the host’s genetic materialand have been found in all the Musa lines tested. In some Musa cultivars, these sequences can beactivated to produce an infection. Research supported by IPGRI at the John Innes Centre, UK on

the sequences integrated into the cultivar Obino l’Ewai hasindicated ways to develop a diagnostic technique to revealthese virus segments. It is likely that only a subset of the virusmaterial is hazardous, so being able to identify this threat withinapparently healthy Musa plants will be an invaluable aid tobanana breeders and other researchers.

Banana and plantain are vulnerable to many diseases, sobreeding for disease resistance is extremely important. Phase 2of the International Musa Testing Programme was completed in1998. Initial results show that FHIA-23, a dessert banana hybridproduced by the Fundación Hondureña de InvestigaciónAgrícola, has a very good level of resistance to black Sigatokadisease, even under high levels of disease pressure, andproduces good yields across a range of environments. This is ahighly significant achievement, as black Sigatoka is a virulentinfection that is destroying huge areas of banana production allover the tropics.

SignificanceMusa is essential for food security and income to millions ofpoor farmers, but viruses are a major constraint, not only onproduction worldwide, but also to the international movement ofits germplasm. The ability to detect viruses in Musa will slow thespread of infection and ultimately increase the supply of healthyplants to assure the security of the crop into the future.

Conserving and using specific crops

From the perspective of both conservation and use, IPGRIpays special attention to a number of specific crops. IPGRIdoes not have systematic, focused programmes of workon any crops that are covered by the mandates of otherinternational centres, other than Musa. However, it issuccessfully working with these centres on their mandatecrops where they form the basis for research on otherissues, such as cryopreservation and the development ofcore collections. The crops to which IPGRI currentlydevotes special attention fall mainly into two categories:crops of worldwide importance, such as Musa, coconutand cocoa, and underused or neglected species that areregionally or locally important and especially vulnerable togenetic erosion. In the future, IPGRI will also seek opportu-nities to increase its work on a third category, consisting ofa range of wild species with a strong potential for cropimprovement and for increasing income-earning opportuni-ties among poor people.S

trate

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Bas-relief, Bali,Indonesia

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Chromosome transformationBananas and plantains aredifficult crops to breedbecause the most importantand popular varities arevirtually sterile and do notproduce seeds. INIBAP-supported research at theKatholieke Universiteit,Leuven, has made goodprogress on theAgrobacterium-mediatedtransformation of bananas.This technique uses bacteriato carry new sequences ofDNA into suspensions ofembryogenic Musa cells togive the subsequent plantsdisease or pest resistance.Shoots have been producedfrom some of thesetransgenic cell lines and thepresence of the new geneshas been confirmed in theplants. This technique isbeing developed as an alternative to particle bombardment as itallows the manipulation of larger pieces of DNA comprisingseveral genes. As traits such as pest and disease resistance aregenerally controlled by more than one gene, this technique holdsgreat potential in the research on germplasm improvement.

SignificanceBananas and plantain are predominantly smallholder crops andmost growers cannot afford costly chemicals to control pestsand diseases. Developing and evaluating new varieties withinbuilt resistance is lowering costs, improving production andincreasing the earning potential of the crop of its low-incomecultivators. At the same time, these new varieties are reducingenvironmental damage by the pesticide the older varieties need.

Bacterial mediated chromosome transformation in bananas

Cooking and dessertspecies of Musa onsale in a Philippines

market

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14Annual Report1998

Coconut - conservation and useCoconut is an extremely important crop to millions of poor farmers throughout the tropics. Throughthe Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT), IPGRI supports collaborative work on theconservation and use of the genetic diversity of the crop. Twenty countries in the Asia-Pacificregion are collecting and conserving coconut germplasm and characterizing existing and newcollections. Similar initiatives are being planned in Africa and the Latin American countries.COGENT is also establishing a multi-site International Coconut Genebank, under the auspices ofthe FAO, in Southeast Asia, South Asia, South Pacific and Africa to guarantee the security andavailability of coconut germplasm.

In another area that is invaluable to breeding, IPGRI and COGENT are collaborating with ad-vanced laboratories to develop and apply molecular marker techniques to locate and characterizecoconut diversity. A hybrid/variety trial began in countries across the Pacific region, funded byCFC, that will provide a wealth of essential data on the diversity and performance of the materialbeing tested. These data are invaluable to coconut researchers and breeders around the world inhelping them choose material with the most useful genetic traits for breeding work.

In 1998, the network organized a series of training courses for coconut researchers on breedingresearch techniques, collecting and conservation, farmer participatory research (Davao and Fiji),embryo culture (Albay), biotechnology (Long Ashton) and computer use and statistical dataanalysis (Fiji).

SignificanceThis work will greatly increase the security and accessibility of the coconut genetic resources andassist coconut workers in using the material in their breeding programmes. Development workand capacity-building are having a major impact on the capabilities of the specific country’snational programme, which inevitably means greater security and sustainability in the coconut-growing activities of the countries.

Coconut palmsgrowingin a Balinesevillage

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Coconut’scontribution

The global coconut industryis very healthy, with a strongdemand for the manyproducts that can be derivedfrom this versatile species.New hybrids and high-yielding varieties are in-creasing the supply of rawmaterial in the developingcountries, as well as raisingthe standard of living of thesmall-scale farmers growingcoconut as a cash crop.

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Researchers in Thailand and Malaysia studied thegenetic diversity of two important rattan species. Work com-paring random-amplified polymorphic (RAPD) and isozymemethods for identifying diversity in Calamus palustris inThailand revealed highly polymorphic isozyme gene loci in thisspecies. This meant that isozyme analysis alone is enough toassess genetic diversity of C. palustris, allowing scientistsmore easily and economically to investigate genetic structure,differentiation and genetic diversity in greater numbers ofpopulations.

Rattan species are very difficult to distinguish. IPGRI-spon-sored research in Malaysia, using a combination of molecularmarkers and microscopic anatomical characters, developedfor the first time simple techniques for separating species, andalso assessing genetic diversity, that will have a tremendousimpact in future studies. Similar genetic analysis revealed highlevels of genetic diversity in particular populations. Being ableto identify such diversity means that the best populations canbe chosen to use in intensive breeding and selectionprogrammes.

Research on the impact of extraction of bamboo and rattanwas started in India to allow the national programme to plan effective conservation measures.Another activity used molecular techniques to distinguish two distinct populations in the bamboo-rich forests of the Western Ghats in the north of India. This is the first time that such geneticallyunique populations have been revealed. It means that the technique and the information it pro-vides can be used to design the best conservation and exploitation strategies for the species.

Indonesia supplies 80% of the world’s rattan but definite information on the distribution of rattanspecies was only available for 40% of the 17 000 islands that make up the country. Project stafforganized a meeting to gather more information on the species. Discussions showed that the useand trade of the species can be a driving force for its conservation. The species for which there ismost information are in fact the species that are the most exploited, which means that futureconservation efforts should be well received by the farmers and gatherers.

SignificanceBamboo and rattan are good examples of non-food plants that can make a substantial contribu-tion to eradicating poverty. They are two of the most important non-timber forest products in Asiawith a world trade value of US$14.5 thousand million. IPGRI’s work is directly assisting in con-serving the genetic resources of the species for sustainable future use, identifying diversity andfacilitating breeding efforts to increase yields and income derived from the crop.

Conserving and using forestgenetic resources

IPGRI’s project on forest genetic resources develops methodolo-gies to conserve, manage and use forest genetic resources. Italso promotes partnership and participation at national, regionaland international levels. While in situ conservation remains theprincipal strategy for managing forest genetic resources, theproject aims at integrating in situ with ex situ conservationapproaches. In 1998 the project achieved substantial results inthe areas of locating genetic diversity, monitoring geneticerosion, seed handling and storage, as well as establishing orbuilding up a number of networks. Work on bamboo and rattanwas particularly significant. Bamboo and rattan provide employ-ment and valuable income to rural people, but the currentextraction processes are leading to severe genetic erosion.Project staff based in IPGRI’s APO Regional Office have beensupporting a variety of fundamental studies, many financed bythe government of Japan. The work has been done in closecollaboration with partners in the region, guided by the Interna-tional Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR)-IPGRI WorkingGroup on bamboo and rattan. This information has built up into acomprehensive understanding on bamboo and rattan distributionand use that allows effective conservation strategies to bedeveloped.

Strategic choice

Bamboo and rattan: major forest products

16Annual Report1998

The impact of IPGRI’snetworking activities in theAmericas is beginning to beseen in the increased level ofresearch that is being done bythe network members and thestrength of their nationalprogrammes. The membercountries are increasingly self-sufficient but benefits comealso from widespreadinterlinking among networks.

The priority crops identified bythe Andean networkREDARFIT are native Andeanfruits, grains, roots and tubers.Many of the constituentnational programmes areunder-funded. However,collaboration within thenetwork has brought anumber of benefits, in the

form of shared expertise and experience. Members identifiedgermplasm documentation as a priority need in the subregion.IPGRI had already started a wide-ranging inventory detailingthe collections and facilities of over 200 genebanks in 30countries in the region. This work is proving a valuable aid tonetwork members in the exchange and use of material con-served in the region. Work on the genetic diversity of passionfruit (Passiflora sp.), which are extremely important tropicalfruits in the region, continued in Colombia, Ecuador andVenezuela. This extensive research yielded valuable results onways to characterize the fruits, their genetic diversity and theirdistribution in the wild.

Collaborative research with CIAT in Colombia gave excellentresults on cryopreserving seed from three species of passionfruit, something that has never been done successfully beforeon these species. Apart from the results, the actualimplementation of the research is an important milestone forREDARFIT, and will help establish research programmes inother national partners.

An EU-funded project, prepared with the assistance of IPGRIstaff for implementation through TROPIGEN, is collecting andbreeding resistant varieties of pineapple. During its collectingmissions, the project located new sources of resistance tofusariosis, which is a major fungal disease in Brazil, Paraguayand Bolivia. This material is being used to breed resistantvarieties. Work on molecular characterization and gene

Networking

Working with networks

Networking is an extremely effective approach to conservinggenetic resources. Networks allow countries with similar agro-ecologies and crop species to work together to sharegermplasm and set common goals. Both thematic and regionalIPGRI Groups contribute to networking. During 1998, theSteering Committee of the West Asia and North Africa Networkfor Genetic Resources (WANANET), with support from IPGRI’sRegional Office for Central & West Asia and North Africa(CWANA), started restructuring the network by including non-governmental organizations and policy-makers in its work, andby seeking greater support and recognition by governmentsand regional donor organizations. The CWANA Regional Officeprovides the Secretariat for this network, which is a majorelement in the continuity of genetic resources work in theregion. The network operates within crop working groups that in1998 developed improved strategies and technologies for exsitu and in situ germplasm conservation. In Europe IPGRIsupports the European Cooperative Programme for CropGenetic Resources Networks and the European Forest GeneticResources Programme, both working towards conservation andsustainable use of crop and forest genetic resources. INIBAP,which operates essentially through networking, supportsbanana research activities by coordinating and supportingregional networks. 35 coconut-producing countries are nowmembers of COGENT, the coconut network that IPGRIsupports; five regional sub-networks were organized and fullyoperational by the end of 1998. The Asia, Pacific and Oceania(APO) and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regions are also havingsignificant successes with the network approach.

in the AmericasRegional networks in South and Central Americaand the Caribbean

IPGRI has been actively promoting plant genetic resources networks in collaboration with regionalpartners. The Interamerican Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), operating under theaegis of the Organization of American States, and its Cooperative Research Programs, orPROCIs, are key partners of the networks, providing an essential political umbrella under whichIPGRI can work. CATIE, the Tropical Agronomic Center for Research and Training, in Costa Rica,is a key partner in the Mesoamerican network. CARDI, the Caribbean Agricultural Research andDevelopment Institute, is an important partner in the coordination of the Caribbean network.

REDARFIT Andean Network of Plant Genetic ResourcesBolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

REMERFI Mesoamerican Network of Plant Genetic ResourcesCosta Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama

TROPIGEN Amazonian Network of Plant Genetic ResourcesBolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

PROCISUR Sub-Programme for Plant Genetic Resources of the Southern ConeArgentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay

CAPGERNet Caribbean Plant Genetic Resources NetworkAntigua & Barbuda, Belize, Barbados, Bahamas and the Cayman Is., Cuba,Dominica (Commonwealth of), Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe,Guyana, French Guiana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Kitts &Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, British Virgin Islands,and US Virgin Islands.

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mapping provided new insights into the genetic diversity of pineapple that will have a major impacton subsequent characterization and breeding activities.

The plant genetic resources sub-programme of the Southern Cone was established in 1993 byPROCISUR. This is the only plant genetic resources network in the region that is supportedprimarily by funds contributed by the member countries, the majority of which have some of thebest developed economies in Latin America. Consequently, this network is very active andIPGRI’s contribution to its effectiveness focuses on assisting the network’s weaker countries sothat they may participate more fully in network activities. IPGRI has supported the development ofprojects and activities leading to the creation of national programmes in Paraguay and Bolivia.This is particularly important as the two countries have high levels of agrobiodiversity that is beingconserved on-farm and in the wild, but are still without coordinated national programmes to study,improve and protect this untapped genetic wealth. IPGRI is supporting the compilation of nationalinventories of wild crop relatives and complementary strategies for their in situ conservation.

The Mesoamerican sub-region is recognized as a centre of crop domestication and agriculturalorigins and is extraordinarily rich in crop genetic resources. The major constraint of REMERFI, thenetwork encompassing the countries of the sub-region, is the fact that the national programmes inall countries are insufficiently funded and in some cases still lack strong coordination mechanisms.Nevertheless, the network has successfully developed a number of major research projects andlocated funding for them. A GTZ-funded project, developed by IPGRI in partnership with IICA,CATIE and REMERFI, permitted the hiring of a full-time international coordinator and the imple-mentation of numerous institution strengthening activities in the sub-region. These activitiesincluded the establishment of national plant genetic resources commissions in each country.

The network approach has proved particularly suitable in the Caribbean. This sub-region is madeup of 16 small, independent island nations and territories that share a common geographic and avaluable agrobiological heritage. CAPGERNet was launched in 1998 with strong IPGRI involve-ment. The new network stimulated all interested countries in the sub-region to form nationalcommittees that immediately began to work to raise the efficiency of resource utilization andconservation. One major goal of the network is to orient the management of genetic resourcestowards the needs of the market place, an important political priority in the sub-region.

Networks and the GPA in the AmericasPromoting sub-regional networks is a priority area for the Global Plan of Action for the Conserva-tion and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GPA). At ameeting at CIAT in Cali, Colombia in September 1998, a secretariat of sub-regional representa-tives was established to follow up the implementation of the GPA in the Americas region. Thissecretariat, whose aim will be to enhance linkages and increase integration among the differentsub-regional networks, planned their first meeting for August 1999.

SignificanceIPGRI’s networking in the Americas has assisted a number of countries to organize their ownnational programmes and increase their capacities in research and conservation. Bolivia andParaguay are excellent examples of a network’s effectiveness in helping establish programmes incountries where they do not yet exist. In Mesoamerica, networking helped establish nationalcommissions that strengthened the national programmes. Networks have proven to be aneffective framework for training, documentation and research activities. The collecting, researchand information sharing among the networks is having a direct benefit on the security of theregion’s genetic resources.

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Strengthening national systems

Most countries coordinate their activities in genetic resourcesthrough a national system, committee or programme. IPGRIhas found that it is extremely efficient to collaborate directlywith these systems as they have a central role in conservingand using biodiversity. Increasing the capabilities of thesesystems, in areas such as germplasm management, trainingand policy advice, is one of IPGRI’s primary objectives,particularly in the less-developed countries, as it is these thatface the greatest challenges. In 1998, all of IPGRI’s regionalgroups continued working at the national level, providingdirect support to national programmes and advising onestablishing national coordination committees. The CWANARegional Office assumed responsibility for working with theCentral Asian countries. Several of its major initiativesresulted in concrete outcomes in support of national systemsin the region. For example, after the first national forestryworkshops on genetic resources in Syria and Lebanon, theSyrian Ministry of Agriculture established a new researchsection to execute and sustain work on genetic resources.After the far-reaching political and socioeconomic changes ineastern Europe, a number of valuable germplasm collectionswere threatened. IPGRI led the effort to provide urgentfinancial and technical assistance to the N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Industry in St. Peters-burg, which is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigiousplant genetic resources institutes.

The N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Industry (or VIR) in St. Petersburg,Russia holds a unique and invaluable collection of crop germplasm, comprising more than300 000 individual seed samples of 2000 species. Named after the famous geneticist Nikolay I.Vavilov, the Institute has been collecting, characterizing, conserving and using genetic diversity formore than 75 years.

Owing to the particularly complex transition period in Russia, VIR is experiencing severe reduc-tions both of staff and infrastructure. In 1988 the staff numbered over 2800; ten years later thisfigure was down to 950. Similarly, following the break-up of the former Soviet Union, the numberof field stations throughout the country decreased from 19 to 13. At the same time, the manage-ment of the collections at the headquarters in St. Petersburg became critical, mainly becausestorage facilities were either poor or lacking. In response to these difficulties, the internationalcommunity provided economic aid through IPGRI in a series of rescue operations during 1994-997. Although this relieved VIR of the most immediate problems, many others remained.

At a request of VIR, an international task force was set up to look at ways of strengthening theprogramme and securing the collections. The Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, VIR andIPGRI established an International Consultative Group (ICG) in 1997. Members of the Groupwere identified from various countries, with a range of expertise, including genetic resourcesmanagement, plant breeding, documentation and business administration. Phase one, a detailedreview of the current situation and mode of operation of the Institute, was funded by the NordicCouncil of Ministers and chaired by the Nordic Gene Bank in 1998. The report resulting from thisreview, which included a number of missions to VIR’s stations in different parts of Russia, outlinedseveral options to meet the long-term needs of VIR.

One of the most plausible scenarios envisaged the develop-ment of completely new genebank and research facilities atPushkin, a site outside St. Petersburg. Among many otherdesirable measures, the ICG also suggested that the VIR’scollections should be rationalized to meet national needs, thatcrop curators be located at the field stations where regenera-tion was to be carried out, and that the number of field stationsbe reduced. Furthermore, the ICG felt that the Vavilov’sherbarium deserved better recognition, and might form thebasis for establishing a Hermitage-type museum. It is hopedthat the financial and other support needed will be securedsoon, to enable the implementation phase of this importantprocess to proceed.

Safeguardingunique resources

Vavilov in 1927 afterreturning from acollecting mission inEthiopia

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●●●●● Nairobi, KenyaCali, Colombia ●●●●●

Cotonou, Benin●●●●●●●●●● Serdang, Malaysia

●●●●● Regional Offices●●●●● Plant Genetic Resources Programme Sub-Regional Offices■ INIBAP Offices

●●●●● Aleppo, Syria

INIBAP HQ, Montpellier, France ■

Douala, Cameroon ■

Heverlee, Belgium ■

■ Kampala, Uganda

Turrialba, Costa Rica ■

Guápiles, Mexico ■

Rome, Italy●●●●●●●●●● IPGRI HQ, Rome, Italy

●●●●● Tashkent, Uzbekistan

●●●●● New Delhi, India

●●●●● Beijing, China

■ Los Baños, Philippines

Board ofTrustees

DirectorGeneral

AssistantDirectorGeneral

DirectorINIBAP

DeputyDirectorGeneral(Programmes)

DirectorFinanceandAdministration

Plant Genetic ResourcesProgrammeRegional Groups

Sub-Saharan AfricaCentral & West Asia and North AfricaAsia, the Pacific and Oceaniathe AmericasEurope

Thematic GroupsGenetic Resources Science and TechnologyDocumentation, Information and Training

INIBAP programme

Finance and Administration

SGRP SupportCGIAR Genetic Resources Policy Support

HeadquartersRegional Offices

West and Central AfricaEastern and Southern AfricaAsia and the PacificLatin America and the CaribbeanINIBAP Transit Centre

FinanceHuman ResourcesComputer ServicesOffice Services

CGIAR Genetic Resources SupportProgramme

structureInstitutional

Geo

grap

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alPro

gram

me

20Annual Report1998

Restricted projectsA. Restricted Research AgendaAustralia

Taro Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization 6System-wide Genetic Resources Programme - ICIS 66Nematology Research - Vietnam 8Subtotal 80

ADBCoconut Genetic Resources Network and Human Resources 632Strengthening in Asia and the Pacific Region (Phase II)

BelgiumINIBAP Transit Center - KUL 347Collaborative Musa Research - KUL 448Musa Virus Therapy - Gembloux 167Musa Coordination in Africa 344Studies on Breeding Systems (Phaseolus lunatus) Phase II 169Study of Diversity (Colletotrichum and Stylosanthes) Phase II 69Subtotal 1544

BrazilLusophone Initiative 30

CanadaDeveloping Decision Strategies on Priorities for Conservation 30 and Sustainable Use of Forest Genetic Resources

CFCCoconut Germplasm Utilization and Conservation 38Cocoa Germplasm Utilization and Conservation 742Subtotal 780

UnrestrictedAustralia1 295Austria 50Belgium2 419Canada 481China 90Denmark 894European Union3 1476France4 256Germany 291India 75Italy 695Japan 1636Mexico 10Netherlands 1097Norway 413Republic of Korea 50South Africa 40Spain 50Sweden 460Switzerland5 659United Kingdom 845USA 600World Bank 2100Subtotal 12 982

1 Australia’s 1999 unrestricted contributionreceived in December 1998.

2 Belgium’s 1998 unrestricted contributionof BF400 000 at UN December rate ofexchange of BF35.2=US$1.00

3 European Union 1997 and 1998unrestricted contributions ofECU1 900 000 at U N December rate ofexchange of ECU.867=US$1.00

4 France’s 1998 unrestricted contributionof FF1 462 500 at UN December rate ofexchange of FF5.72=US$1.00

5 Switzerland’s 1999 unrestrictedcontribution received in December 1998.

Grant Revenue*RestrictedAustralia 80ADB 632Belgium 1544Brazil 30Canada 30CFC 780CIFOR 7CIRAD 72CTA 38Denmark 231European countries 590FAO 273Finland 79France 163Germany 197IDB 99IDRC 288IFAD 543IITA 8IRRI 8Italy 332Japan 242Luxembourg 53Netherlands 358Norway 59NGB 5NRI 14Peru 9Rockefeller Foundation 25Spain 74Sweden 129Switzerland 646TBRI 2UK 223UNDP 280UNEP 31USA 38World Bank 57Subtotal 8269

Financialreportfor the year ended 31 December 1998, in US dollars (‘000)

CIFORForest Genetic Resources 7

CIRADMusa Nematode Research 35Musa Publications 37Subtotal 72

CTAMusa Information Services/Publications 30Workshop on Forest Genetic Resources in SSA 8Subtotal 38

DenmarkEffective Conservation and Use of Intermediate 66 and Recalcitrant Tropical Forest Tree SeedJunior Professional Officer - Colombia 81Junior Professional Officer - Benin 84Subtotal 231

European CountriesECP/GR - Phase V 322EUFORGEN 232Plant Genetic Resources Symposium 36Subtotal 590

FAODecision Guides 1Farmer Seed Systems 3A Case Study in the Tomobouctou Region of Mali 5Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter 24Support of Regional Meetings to Promote the GPA 240Subtotal 273

FinlandAssociate Expert - Malaysia 79

FranceInternational Coconut Database 31Associate Expert - LACNET Coordination - Costa Rica 83Virology Research 7VIC MPL Virus Indexing Centre 36Musa Germplasm Information System 1INIBAP West Africa Regional Coordinator 5Subtotal 163

GermanyBMZ/GTZ - In Situ Conservation (Morocco component) 108BMZ/GTZ - Contribution of Home Gardens to In Situ Conservation 56BMZ/GTZ - Underutilized Neglected Crops Project 2GTZ - Towards a Sui Generis System 31Subtotal 197

IDBLAC Musa Project 99

IDRCIn Situ Conservation of Agricultural Biodiversity 111Associate Scientist - Italy 66Conserving Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Species 22Musa Germplasm Information System 89Subtotal 288

IFADSustainable Use of Coconut Genetic Resources in the 307 Asia-Pacific RegionIn Situ Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources 236 in Desert-prone Areas of AfricaSubtotal 543

IITAYam Descriptors 8

IRRIGermplasm Collecting in Uganda and Kenya 8

ItalyImage Processing 6Support to National Programmes in Angola and Mozambique 79Conservation and Use of Genetic Resources of Underutilized 168 Mediterranean SpeciesGenetic Diversity of Triticum and Aegilops Species 28Individual Training in Plant Genetic Resources 23Maccarese Science Park 28Subtotal 332

JapanCollaborative Activities 69Bamboo and Rattan Research 114Genetic Resources Policy 59Subtotal 242

LuxembourgGenetic Resources of Broadleaved Forest Tree Species in 53 Southeastern Europe

Natural Resources InstitutePost Harvest Publication 14

Non-AgendaIFAD 11Italy 9PARC of the CGIAR 8Sweden 15World Bank 6Subtotal 49 Total Grants 21 300*Plus in-kind contribution of Associate Experts/Staff seconded by Belgium/VVOB (3), France/CIRAD (1), the Netherlands (6), Sweden (1).

21Annual Report1998

Financial support for the Research Agenda of IPGRI isprovided by the Governments of:

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada,China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,Estonia, F.R. Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro),Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea,Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (F.Y.R.),Malta, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru,the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia,Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,Turkey, the UK, the USA

and by the:Asian Development Bank, Common Fund for Com-modities, Technical Centre for Agricultural and RuralCooperation (CTA), European Union, Food and Agricul-ture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Interna-tional Development Research Centre (IDRC), Interna-tional Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),International Association for the Promotion of Coopera-tion with Scientists from the New Independent States ofthe former Soviet Union (INTAS), Interamerican Devel-opment Bank, Natural Resources Institute (NRI),Centre de coopération internationale en rechercheagronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), NordicGenebank, Rockefeller Foundation, United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP), United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP), TBRI and the WorldBank.

NetherlandsBiodiversity of Neglected Leafy Green Vegetable Crops 50In Situ Conservation in Burkina Faso and Nepal 308Subtotal 358

Nordic GenebankDarwin Initiative Training Course 5

NorwayGenetic Resources Policy 59

PeruBanana Research 9

Rockefeller FoundationEast Africa Musa Workshop 25

SpainSpain-Latin America Training Programme 51Cherimoya Germplasm Bank in Peru 8Canary Island Project (Musa) 15Subtotal 74

SwedenGenetic Resources Policy 45Eastern Africa Regional Meeting 58Regional Meeting to Promote Implementation of the GPA 26in Eastern and Southern Africa, GaboroneSubtotal 129

SwitzerlandGenetic Resources Policy 93In Situ Conservation of Agricultural Biodiversity 395Workshop on Ethics and Equity in Conservation and Use of 12Genetic Resources for Sustainable Food SecuritySINGER Phase II 137Associate Experts - Malaysia 9Subtotal 646

TBRIRISBAP 2

UNDPIMTP - Phase II 270IAEG/IPGRI Adoption Studies 10Subtotal 280

UNEPCapacity Building for Sustainable National PGR Programmes 31

UK/Darwin InitiativeDarwin Initiative - Ivory Coast 38Darwin Initiative - Poland 38

UK/DFIDResearch on Coconut 74Holdback Project R6110H 4(CryopreservationTechniques for Plant Species in India)Coconut Publications 2Musa Research and Training, Asia 25Musa Evaluation in Uganda 42Subtotal 147

USAGenetic Resources Policy 25Musa Network Funding and Strategic Planning 13Subtotal 38

World BankCGIAR Genetic Resources Policy Committee 53Agrobiodiversity in Georgia 4Subtotal 57

Total Restricted Research Agenda Grants 8269

B. NON-AGENDAIFAD

Conservation of Indigenous Plant Genetic Resources in 11the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

ItalyINTAGRES 9

CGIARPublic Awareness and Resources Committee of the CGIAR 8

SwedenFuture Harvest Campaign 15

World BankGermplasm Conservation in Central Asia and the Caucasus 6

Total Non-Agenda Grants 49

Grand Total 8318

Financialsupport

The international status of IPGRI is conferred under anEstablishment Agreement which, by January 1999, hadbeen signed and ratified by the Governments of Algeria,Australia, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso,Cameroon, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire,Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Greece,Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan,Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan,Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia,Senegal, Slovakia, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia,Turkey, Uganda and Ukraine.

Establishmentagreement

22Annual Report1998IPGRI’sprojects

Support to plant genetic resources programmesand regional networks in the Americas

assists countries in Latin America and the Caribbean inbuilding their capacities to conserve and use plant geneticresources

Support to plant genetic resources programmesand regional networks in Asia, the Pacific andOceania

assists countries in Asia, the Pacific and Oceania inbuilding up their capacities to conserve and use plantgenetic resources

Support to plant genetic resources programmesand regional networks in Europe

assists countries in Western and Eastern Europe inbuilding up their capacities to conserve and use plantgenetic resources

Support to plant genetic resources programmesand regional networks in sub-Saharan Africa

assists countries in sub-Saharan Africa in building up theircapacities to conserve and use plant genetic resources

Support to plant genetic resources programmesand regional networks in Central & West Asia andNorth Africa

assists countries in Central & West Asia and North Africa tobuild their capacities to conserve and use plant geneticresources

Global capacity building and institutional supportenables countries to build effective national plant geneticresources conservation and use programmes. It trainsscientists and trainers and develops training tools

Global forest genetic resources strategiessupports strategic research on the conservation and use ofintraspecific diversity of useful forest tree species. It alsoaims to develop an information system on forest geneticresources

Promoting sustainable conservation and use ofcoconut genetic resources

promotes national, regional and global collaborationthrough COGENT among coconut-producing countries andpartner institutions in the conservation and use of coconutgenetic resources

Locating and monitoring genetic diversitydevelops methods for locating and measuring geneticdiversity in cultivated and wild species, combining ethnobo-tanical with agro-ecological approaches. It also developsmethods for monitoring genetic erosion

Ex situ conservation technologies and strategiesdevelops improved low-input technologies for the ex situconservation of plant genetic resources, and investigatesex situ conservation strategies

In situ conservation of crop plants & wild relativesdevelops a scientific basis for effective on-farm conserva-tion that meets farmer and community needs and main-tains diversity; assists national systems in locating,monitoring and maintaining viable in situ populations ofwild relatives of crops

Linking conservation and uselinks conservation and use taking ex situ, in situ andcomplementary approaches; emphasizes neglected andunderused crops and supports the use of cocoa geneticresources

Human and policy aspects of plant genetic re-sources conservation and use

strengthens links between conservation and the well-beingof people, particularly poor rural people, emphasizinggender, nutrition, income, indigenous knowledge, traditionalresource rights and participatory approaches

Information management and servicesbuilds capacity in information management and serviceprovision to meet national, regional and internationalresponsibilities; provides publications and information tosupport the research activities of IPGRI staff and theirpartners

Public awareness and impact assessmentbuilds financial and institutional support for plant geneticresources activities worldwide by raising awareness amongkey target audiences of the role of these resources insustainable development and food security; assessesIPGRI’s impact on the conservation and use of plant geneticresources

Musa genetic resources managementcollects the germplasm of Musa and its wild relatives;promotes its safe storage, movement and use; developsstandardized tools for retrieving and exchanging informationon Musa germplasm

Musa germplasm improvementidentifies disease- and pest-resistant Musa genotypes,researches Musa pathogen diversity, screening methodsand molecular genetics and develops improved Musagenotypes; provides Musa germplasm

Musa information and communicationsupports the production, collection and exchange ofinformation on banana and plantain; publicizes Musa issuesand the work of INIBAP to scientific and non-technicalaudiences

Support to regional Musa programmessupports INIBAP’s global regional and national networksand other partnerships in Latin America and the Caribbean,in Asia, the Pacific and Oceania, and in sub-Saharan Africa

CGIAR genetic resources support programmeprovides support to the CGIAR system in two areas: (1)genetic resources policy, conservation and use, (2) inIPGRI’s capacity as convening centre of CGIAR’s System-wide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP).

23Annual Report1998

Dr Masahiro NakagahraDirector General, NationalInstitute for AgrobiologicalResearch(NIAR)Kannondai 2-1-2Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305JAPAN

Dr Gene NamkoongDept. Forest SciencesFaculty of ForestryUniversity of British ColumbiaMacMillan Building189-2357 Main MallVancouver V6T 1ZAB.C. CANADA

Prof Ivan NielsenDept. Systematic BotanyNordlansvey 688340 RisskovDENMARK

Dr Nohra Pombo DeJunguitoCalle 75 No. 13-51Offc. 501BogotáCOLOMBIA

Dr Theresa SengoobaNamulonge Agricultural andAnimal Production Research InstituteP.O. Box 7084KampalaUGANDA

Dr René SalazarChairperson, PhilippinesProgramme CoordinatingCommitteeCommunity BiodiversityConservation DevelopmentProgrammeQuezon CityPHILIPPINES

Dr Benchaphun ShinawatraMultiple Cropping CentreFaculty of AgricultureChiang Mai University

Full details of IPGRI’s staff may be found on IPGRI’s Web site:http://www.cgiar.org/ipgri/Institute/Location.htm

IPGRI’smanagementteam

IPGRI’s Boardof TrusteesBoard ChairDr Marcio de Miranda SantosHead, Embrapa/Dept. ofResearch & DevelopmentSAIN Parque RuralAv. W3 Norte-final70 770-901 Brasilia - DFBRAZIL

MembersProf Dr Thomas CottierDirector, Institute of European& International Economic LawHochschulstrasse 4CH-3012 BerneSWITZERLAND

Dr Michel de Nucé deLamothePresident, AgropolisAve. AgropolisF34394 Montpellier Cedex 5FRANCE

Dr Mahmud DuwayriDirector, Plant Production andProtection DivisionFAO of the United NationsRomeITALY

Dr Geoffrey C. HawtinDirector General, IPGRIVia delle Sette Chiese 14200145 RomeITALY

Dr Malcolm HazelmanManager, AgricultureProgrammeSecretariat of the PacificCommunityPrivate Mail BagSuvaFIJI ISLANDS

Prof Luigi MontiDept. Agronomy & PlantGeneticsUniversità di NapoliVia dell' Università 10080055 PorticiNapoliITALY

Office of the Director GeneralDr G.C. Hawtin - Director GeneralMr D.H. van Sloten - Assistant Director General*Dr L.A. Withers - Assitant Director General**

Finance and AdministrationMr K.F. Geerts - Director - Finance and Administration

Office of the Deputy Director General (Programmes)Dr M. Iwanaga - Deputy Director General (Programmes)

Plant Genetic Resources Programme

Regional groupsSub-Saharan AfricaDr A.F. Attere - Regional Director

Central & West Asia and North AfricaDr G. Ayad - Regional Director

Asia the Pacific and OceaniaDr K.W. Riley - Regional Director

AmericasDr R. Lastra - Regional Director

EuropeDr T. Gass - Director

Thematic GroupsGenetic Resources Science and Technology GroupDr J.M.M. Engels - Group Director

Documentation, Information and TrainingDr L.A. Withers - Group Director*

INIBAP ProgrammeDr E.A.G. Frison - Director

SGRP SecretariatMs J. Toll - Coordinator

*Left during 1998**Joined during 1998

24Annual Report1998

This Annual Report highlights the immediate impact of IPGRI’s work by lookingat a significant achievement in each of the strategic areas that the Institute pursues.Short introductions to each section illustrate the breadth of IPGRI’s research work andthe geographical dispersion of its area of operation. The Report also contains informa-tion for the year 1998 on financial status, Board of Trustees and management team.

A separate publication will describe in greater detail chosen areas of our work, lookingback at past achievements and forward to the expected impact and application ofparticular activities in its decentralized research programme across the regions andthroughout the field of plant genetic resources. This production will aim at the moretechnical national programme audience, adopting a longer time scale to be able toreport in-depth results in a clear and succinct presentation.

The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) is an autonomousinternational scientific organization, supported by the Consultative Group onInternational Agricultural Research (CGIAR). IPGRI’s mandate is to advance theconservation and use of plant genetic resources for the benefit of present andfuture generations. IPGRI’s headquarters is based in Rome, Italy, with offices inanother 14 countries worldwide. It operates through three programmes:(1) the Plant Genetic Resources Programme,(2) the CGIAR Genetic Resources Support Programme, and(3) the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain(INIBAP).

Citation:IPGRI. 1999. Annual Report 1998. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute,Rome.ISBN 92-9043-427-9

IPGRIVia delle Sette Chiese 14200145 RomeItaly

© International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, 1999

International Plant Genetic Resources Institute

1998

About thisAnnual ReportRIIPG