Leibniz Institute for Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research

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Leibniz Institute for Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
Category: research Institute
Carrier: none (legally independent SöR )
Membership: Leibniz Association
Facility location: Gatersleben
Type of research: Basic research
Subjects: Natural sciences
Areas of expertise: biology
Basic funding: Federal government (50%), states (50%)
Management: Andreas Graner
Employee: about 500
Homepage: www.ipk-gatersleben.de

The Institute for Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) is part of the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Scientific Association (WGL).

task

Both basic research and application-oriented research in the fields of resource research , genome research and molecular plant physiology are carried out at the IPK .

The institute is a foundation under public law . The federal government, represented by the BMBF , and the federal states share the financing , with the host states Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (the latter for the branch offices of the genebank department) assuming the largest part.

Research is carried out in four scientific departments (gene bank, breeding research, molecular genetics, and physiology and cell biology ). Superordinate platforms are the Plant Genome Resource Center (PGRC) and Bioinformatics. The genebank department is one of the approximately 1,400 public seed libraries operating worldwide . With almost 150,000 seed samples from around 800 genera, it is one of the most important institutions for the conservation of old crops and their wild relatives. The seed samples are used in our own research and are also given to other research institutions, collections (gene banks and botanical gardens) and plant breeders upon request. The institute is one of the institutions that has deposited seed samples in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault . In addition, the institute is a full member of the ScienceCampus Halle - Plant-Based Bioeconomy .

Propagation cultivation

Seed archive in the IPK Gatersleben

To secure the genetic resources of the genebank , an annual cultivation ( replica ) of a part of the samples ( accessions ) stored in the genebank is necessary, since seeds lose their germination and sprouting power every year despite optimal (cold, dry) storage . In addition, seeds from the various origins are not only preserved in a germinable state, but are also made available to recognized researchers and plant breeders all over the world. The intervals at which cultivation takes place in the field varies greatly depending on the species and is primarily based on the shelf life of the seeds and the frequency with which they are released. Every year around five percent of the genebank collection is grown for propagation purposes in the field or in the greenhouse; that is currently around 7500 samples. Since it was founded in 1943, the institute management has endeavored to expand the seed stock and to keep the existing samples sorted by type. Many years of experience and the use of tried and tested methods, such as maintaining safety distances in propagation cultivation, prevent the genebank patterns from mixing with each other and with plants from neighboring fields. Appropriate certification by the International Organization for Standardization was granted to the genebank in 2007 ( ISO 9001: 2000 ). With around 30,000 specimens, wheat represents a focus of the stored plant specimens and is therefore also a focus of annual propagation cultivation. The propagation cultivation for wheat runs according to the usual guidelines and criteria for quality assurance.

history

Criticism of experiment with genetically modified wheat

Numerous objections were submitted to the IPK (2006) test application with genetically modified wheat. Critics feared a mixture of the wheat varieties grown on the trial plots with the maintenance cultivation of the gene bank through pollen or the spread by animals.

The experimental cultivation of transgenic wheat was the responsible Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety approved (BVL) under the condition that the gap to the propagation areas of the library 500 meters must be. As a self-pollinator , wheat is almost 100 percent fertilized within the flower with its own pollen. For further biological reasons (max. Pollen count) outcrosses and thus a possible spread of the transgenic DNA were assessed by the responsible experts as very unlikely and the test facility was approved. Disadvantages for the gene bank in Gatersleben have not become known from this trial cultivation so far (2009).

In April 2008, six people penetrated the IPK test site and destroyed a test field with genetically modified wheat. The IPK put the damage at 245,000 euros, but a claim for damages failed in the second instance. Criminal proceedings for damage to property were dropped after a successful appeal against the defendants.

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Depositors and Material
  2. ↑ Alfons Deter: Field destroyers from Gatersleben do not have to pay damage . In: top agrar online . April 13, 2016 ( topagrar.com [accessed May 28, 2018]).
  3. ↑ Field destroyers from Gatersleben get away with impunity . In: top agrar online . July 19, 2013 ( topagrar.com [accessed May 28, 2018]).
  4. ^ Higher Regional Court Naumburg: Press release no .: 006/2013. May 7, 2013, accessed May 28, 2018 .

Coordinates: 51 ° 49 ′ 36.5 ″  N , 11 ° 16 ′ 30.7 ″  E