Genebank collections
The Australian Grains Genebank is custodian to a diverse collection of over 190,000 types (accessions) of seed representing 1,250 species across 162 genera. This extensive collection includes cultivated varieties and landraces (or traditional varieties) grown in farmers’ fields worldwide, breeding lines and wild relatives of temperate and tropical grain crop species. Germplasm in the collection originate from over than 150 countries, covering a wide range of agroecological regions with a strong relevance to Australian growing conditions.
The genebank’s collection features a wide range of crops, including temperate and tropical cereals, legumes, oilseeds, and minor crops. By composition, the collection includes: around 52% winter cereals, 25% temperate pulses, 12% tropical legumes and oilseeds, 7% tropical cereals and 4% temperate oilseeds and minor crops
About 95% of Australia’s agricultural plants are from overseas, and as such, most species held by the genebank originate from overseas. The AGG also focuses on conserving Australia’s unique crop wild relatives. These indigenous species thrive in a variety of environments, often under extreme climatic and environmental conditions, making them invaluable for research and breeding efforts.
The conservation of crop wild relatives plays a vital role in ensuring future food security and environmental resilience. Their genetic diversity offers crucial resources for developing crops capable of withstanding challenges such as climate change, pests, and diseases.
