Turkey Seed Gene Bank Continues Its Work

Turkey's National Seed Gene Bank preserves the genetic resources of plants and works to secure the future of Turkish agriculture through sustainable use initiatives. Field Crops Central Research Institute's Biodiversity and Genetic Resources Department operates two Seed Gene Banks: the National Seed Gene Bank in Izmir and the Turkey Seed Gene Bank in Ankara, where the genetic resources of plants are identified and the characterization of preserved seeds is carried out.

Turkey Seed Gene Bank Department Head Şenay Boyraz Topaloğlu made the following statements on the matter:

"Our aim here is to preserve all species defined as genetic resources, but our priority is the genetic resources used in breeding. We are working to protect all resources—local varieties, endemic plants and wild relatives of cultivated plants—for as long as their biological lifespan permits. We do this outside their natural habitats. Viability tests are applied first. Seeds with seed viability of 85 percent or higher are placed in cold storage for long-term preservation. At minus 18 degrees Celsius, viability tests are repeated every 5 to 10 years, varying depending on the seed type. When periodic viability testing shows lower results or when the seed quantity decreases, the seeds are renewed through regeneration." Emphasizing that regenerated seeds pass through cleaning, preparation, drying and packaging processes before being returned to storage, Topaloğlu noted that continuous preservation is maintained by preventing genetic erosion while preserving the seed's genetic source. Topaloğlu also pointed out that one of the core objectives of gene banks is to provide material for research work, stating: "A sufficiently multiplied sample of seeds in long-term storage is placed in medium-term storage. This includes the material provided in what we call the distribution-open collection for breeding and research work."

"Seed repositories are being established"

Drawing attention to the fact that seeds cannot be preserved using incorrectly learned storage methods, agricultural writer Mine Ataman stated: "How diverse and how characteristic countries' genetic resources are has begun to gain more importance in recent times. In different parts of the world, seed repositories are being established outside of seed gene banks. How seeds are stored is very important. We cannot store them in a box or in a home environment. They must absolutely be protected in gene banks specifically planned for this purpose, with certain temperature, humidity and conditions. That is why, if you have such a resource at hand, you should definitely go to gene banks and consult with the relevant personnel there."