Concepts and data models for treatment of duplicate groups and sharing of responsibility in genetic resources information systems

Concepts for the treatment of duplication and sharing of responsibilities in ex situ collections are developed with regard to the design of a documentation system. Large amounts of duplication are found in European genebanks especially with obsolete cultivars. If internationally registered they will reach several national genebanks from respective cultivar registration authorities collaborating with genetic resources collections. Rationalisation of collections and reducing work load with duplicates will be a precondition to keep high quality maintenance standards with diminishing resources. Sharing of responsibilities on an accession basis is the preferred procedure within the European Cooperative Programme for Genetic Resources Networks. Central crop databases play an important role in this process. A design of passport data is presented, which allows for compiling and extending information available for duplicate groups (genotypes) without affecting original multicrop passport information provided by holding genebanks for their accessions. Additional descriptors for responsibility, restrictions in availability and storage status agreed on by holders of duplicate accessions within the international considerations are included. Primary responsibility is mainly defined by fulfilling standards of maintenance and providing access to the germplasm. It includes holding a base sample, an active, publicly available sample and a safety duplicate at partner genebanks. Considerable reduction of work load without discarding of accessions can be achieved by setting duplicates to a reference status implying maintenance of only a base sample with no or restricted public access.