S19 - Session O2 - Keynote: Berry genetic resources: decades of global conservation

Authors: Kim Hummer *

From the Northern Andean paramo (paramo del norte de los Andes); to the Siberian peat bogs of the circumpolar boreal forests ( Сибирский бореальный лес ); to the mountains, high plateaus, sandy deserts, dense forests and plains of China; to the Atlantic coastal pine barrens of North America from Florida to Nova Scotia; to the Pacific fog zone beaches from Alaska to California, and disjunct Chilean coasts; to the Pacific rim peninsulas and island nations; to the Himalayas; to the Greater Rocky Mountains of North America, including the Wasatch Range; to the European "peninsula of peninsulas" and birthplace of Western civilization; to the Mediterranean Region, including Mt. Ida ( Όρος Ida ) , Crete; to the Australian Tablelands and the South Island, ( te Waipounamu), New Zealand; endemic berry plants such as those of Fragaria, Ribes, Rubus, and Vaccinium , sustained humanity from pre-history through their migrations to all continents. Their nutrients are vital to human health and well-being. These berry genetic resources defy the classical Vavilovian dictum that genetic resources critical to human survival originated in five to eight centers of diversity in the tropical and sub-tropical regions. For 2022, these diverse fruit crops were grown and transported globally representing about $US 20 billion annual production value. The genetic resources for these species are under-recognized relative to agronomic green-revolution staples. Yet, diverse fruit germplasm has provided the foundation for development of everbearing, disease resistant, pest resistant and climate adaptable plants. The regional expansion of these high-value-of-production crops have exceeded expectation. In 2006, international genebanks were surveyed concerning their berry conservation efforts with summaries from 37 respondents. The objective of this report is to summarize and update the status of conservation programs of berry crops throughout the world, in the face of present day pandemic, climate change, staffing and budget issues. This data will inform international administrators of the critical need for the continuation and expansion of berry conservation and germplasm research.