The Slovenian maize gene bank

Abstract

The maize gene bank at the Agronomy Department of the Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana is one of the oldest and the most comprehensive plant gene banks in Slovenia. The first maize populations were collected in early 1950s. Presently, in our gene bank, there are 587 maize genotypes. Most of the materials represent domestic flint landraces of maize and selected inbreds with different levels of homozygosity. The main objective of our activity is preservation and maintenance of the acessions. The moisture of the stored material (kernels) is 8 % and the storage temperature is 4-6 °C. In order to maintain viability and sufficient amount of seeds, we are permanently multiplying genotypes in our breeding nursery, based on hand isolation and pollination. At the same time, we are also characterising and evaluation the materials according to the IPGRI descriptors. Evaluation of these traits is taking place every year. For the stored gene bank materials it is also important to have data about agronomic and breeding traits, such as yield, kernel quality, and resistance against diseases and pests. Results indicate that our accessions may represent a very useful genetic material for further breeding as well as for direct use.