Gene bank of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor

Abstract

The gene bank of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences was established in 1996. During the first 10 years we were intensively collecting the genetic materials and establishing the techniques for their maintaining. The activities were closely associated with student's education and research. Later the activities were reorganised according to the guidelines on the Ministry of agriculture and the environment. During that time the faculty moved to a new location in the suburbs of Maribor – Hoče. For the need of the Faculty gene bank, an area of 3 ha was fenced next to the Botanical garden of the University of Maribor. The current collection of the Faculty gene bank involves three crucial genera: Prunus, Rubus and Vitis. For the genus Vitis, it is considered as supplementary collection. Currently, the emphasis is put on plums which have been collected past two years and maintained vegetatively (i.e., by grafting and side shoots). There are 48 accessions of plums. Materials of sweet and sour cherries, apricots, and peaches are in a state of being collected, multiplied and transferred to the collection field. Recently, a collection of raspberry and blackberry genotypes has been established. Our collection of Vitis species and genotypes is located at Meranovo, 8 km from the Faculty. It includes 288 accessions. In the future we plan to expand our collection and include genetic resources of other species, especially those which used to be very important in the past, but now they are subjected to intensive genetic erosion. According to our investigations these vulnerable species are: millet, flax, winter squashes, marrows and oil pumpkins, which used to be important food sources for humans and animals. The gene bank will also include elderberries (Sambucus nigra), service tree (Sorbus domestica L.), and pears used for the production of alcoholic drinks ('Moštnica' group). Many of the crucial genotypes are documented, however, they need to be grafted on suitable rootstocks and transferred to the collection field.