WHAT IS A CRB?
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A genetic reservoir for research and plant breeding.
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A collection of genetic material composed of heritage and scientific resources.
INRAE manages or co-manages 15 plant Biological Resource Centers (CRBs) integrated within BRC’Plantes and the “Plants” pillar of RARe.
WHAT IS IT FOR?
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Preserving biodiversity.
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Improving varieties for biotic and abiotic stress resistance: disease resistance, adaptation to climate change.
These resources are the “reservoirs” of tomorrow. They are living and diverse, which requires the implementation of strict practices and rules for their introduction, maintenance, and distribution.
Sunflower accessions of the CRBTS have been collected or developed by INRAE since 1960.
THE SUNFLOWER COLLECTION
Heritage genetic resources for agriculture and research:
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2,313 cultivated lines
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403 old cultivated-type populations
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537 wild ecotypes from the Helianthus genus
Scientific genetic resources for research:
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4,500 lines
THE SOYBEAN COLLECTION
Heritage genetic resources for agriculture and research:
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1,300 lines
THE JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE COLLECTION
Heritage genetic resources for agriculture and research:
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180 lines
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS
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A national collection will eventually be included in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (FAO).
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A sunflower network collection of 1,900 priority accessions has been established within a public–private partnership (HELIANTHUS network).
The CRBTS is a partner of the soybean GIE alongside Terres Inovia, Lidea, and RAGT.
The CRBTS ensures the distribution of genetic resources, subject to seed availability and regulatory requirements.
MAINTENANCE AND CONSERVATION OF GENETIC RESOURCES
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Collections are preserved as seeds or tubers in cold storage at constant temperature (+6 °C) and relative humidity (30%).
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A backup copy of part of the heritage collection is preserved at −20 °C.
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Each sample is identified by a unique barcode linked to passport and characterization data.
Contact: crb.tournesol-soja@inrae.fr
Marie-Claude Boniface – Coordinator and Curator
RESEARCH THEMES
A Review of Global Sunflower Genetic Resource Centers
The collaboration of the three main sunflower Genetic Resource Centers (France, United States, and Serbia), with contributions from seven other countries, led to the publication of a synthesis article on the maintenance and use of wild and cultivated sunflower accessions. The potential of all these genetic resources has been integrated to address future climate change risks as well as possible pathogen mutations. This publication was made possible thanks to the expertise and support of Félicity Vear, who successfully centralized and harmonized the diversity of these global collections.
Reference:
Terzić S, Boniface M-C, Marek L, et al. 2020. Gene banks for wild and cultivated sunflower genetic resources. OCL 27: 9.
https://doi.org/10.1051/ocl/2020004
Abstract:
Modern sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) breeding began a century ago, diversifying and increasing the number of cultivated forms of sunflower. In addition, wild sunflower species and Helianthus germplasm have been collected over the past 50 years in North America, their region of origin. As a result, collections of both cultivated and wild sunflowers are maintained by genetic resource centers in many countries where sunflower is an important crop. Each collection has specific features depending on local breeding and research programs. Cultivated germplasm includes ecotypes, populations, and inbred lines, while wild accessions comprise wild Helianthus annuus ecotypes and 52 related Helianthus species. The activities of the three major genetic resource centers in the United States, France, and Serbia are described in detail, complemented by data from centers in seven other countries. The history of genetic resource use, as well as future perspectives for breeding varieties adapted to environmental changes, are discussed along with genomic and phenotypic characterization efforts.
Soybean Genetic Resources Collection in the CRB – “Soybean is Back!”
With the renewed interest in soybean, both scientifically and in terms of innovation, conserving soybean genetic resources has become essential. These resources were preserved for nearly two decades thanks to the commitment of the UMR AGAP Institute. Today, 1,300 genotypes have been transferred to the CRB hosted at LIPME, and the collection is being enriched with research accessions generated by IRHS projects.
More information
Soybean Genetic Resources Collection in the CRB – “Soybean is Back!”
With the renewed interest in soybean, both scientifically and in terms of innovation, conserving soybean genetic resources has become essential. These resources were preserved for nearly two decades thanks to the commitment of the UMR AGAP Institute. Today, 1,300 genotypes have been transferred to the CRB hosted at LIPME, and the collection is being enriched with research accessions generated by IRHS projects.
More information