PGR Secure:
Working together for the sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources The PGR Secure Project was financed by the European Commission, under the Seventh Framework Programme, and coordinated by the University of Birmingham (UK). In this project with 11 partners from prestigious and influential institutions in agrobiodiversity conservation, more than 35 scientists were aimed to collaborate in the research for the conservation and characterization of Crop Wild Relatives and Landraces as a basis for crop improvement. Experts point out that crops are not expected to respond successfully to the foreseen climatic and environmental changes related to the global warming. Droughts and increment in temperatures will impact on crops more than on other species as well as they will be more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Main reason for this discouraging scenario is the narrow genetic diversity held by crops as a result of fierce domestication, searching for more productive and profitable commercial varieties. Under this frame, the conservation and preservation of CWR and LR, the development of new techniques for plant genetic resources characterization and the engagement of the breeder community to better use of CWR and LR for crop improvement, turn an efficient tool to guarantee world food security for the future generations. You can find further and more detailed information about the project in the official website: http://www.pgrsecure.bham.ac.uk/ |
Factsheet with information on the project available.
Download it from here: Contributions to conferences:
- 6th Plant Biology Conservation Congress - Murcia (Spain), 15th – 18th October, 2013 (http://www.congresosebicopmurcia.es/index.aspx).
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