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AusPGRIS is the information network for the Australian Collections of Plant Genetic
Resources. It provides common access to information on germplasm collections by
enabling searches for information relating to the identity, origin, characteristics,
and evaluation of accessions held by the Centres. Germplasm samples of accessions are
conserved under long-term storage conditions, and made available to clients throughout
the world for research, breeding and conservation.
These collections comprise 130,000 accessions of crop, forage, horticulture, and
woody tree germplasm of importance to food, agriculture and forestry. They include
wild species, landraces, cultivars, hybrid parents, advanced breeding lines, and
genetic stocks with special characteristics. The collections have been assembled
over the past 50 years through collaborative collecting expeditions with national
programs, through donations from other genebanks, and from plant breeders around the
world. A large number of accessions are Australian indigenous flora.
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Key Australian centres maintaining germplasm collections are located at
Adelaide, Biloela, Canberra, Horsham, Perth, and Tamworth.
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These ex-situ collections are a commitment to the conservation and
sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity as agreed under the Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD). They are an insurance against genetic erosion;
and are valuable sources of genetic variation for improved quality and
productivity, and tolerance to diseases, pests, and climatic and other
environment stresses.
The Australian Network of Plant Genetic Resource Centres is a cooperative
effort by
- Department of Agriculture, Western Australia
- South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)
- Department of Primary Industries, Victoria (DPI)
- NSW Agriculture
- Department of Primary Industries, Queensland (DPI)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- Grains Research & Development Corporation (GRDC)
The AusPGRIS web server is maintained by Department of Primary Industries, Queensland,
Australia.
For further information, suggestions or difficulties, email Peter Lawrence.
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