Procedure for Germplasm Exchange

By E. Javier

IRRI

Outline

1. Major sources of germplasm

2. Key players in germplasm exchange

3. Importing seeds from IRRI

Major Sources of Germplasm Genetic Resources Center (Genebank) - traditional varieties, wild relatives of rice

• FAO designated germplasm• Non-designated germplasm

PBGB - elite lines, released varieties, segregating populations

Breeding programs - mostly IRRI developed materials

Major Sources of Germplasm PBGB

1. Breeding programs

2. INGER (International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice)

• Established in 1975 by NARS, IRRI & Other IARCs (WARDA, CIAT, IITA)

• Steering Committee – Council for Partnership on Rice Research in Asia

• NARS and IARCs contribute and receive rice germplasm

Major Sources of Germplasm

PBGB

INGER Code of Conduct• INGER materials available to all NARS• Private sector working with NARS can receive

any INGER material• Private sector w/o NARS partners can get all

materials except those developed by NARS• Any entry in the INGER nursery can be

released or used as parents in crossing by any national program by informing IRRI and acknowledging the origin and seed source of the materials

Nurseries distributed by INGER

Ecosystem based• Irrigated lowland - indica, japonica, hybrid rice, fine

grain aromatic, boro rice• Upland rice• Rainfed lowland• Deepwater rice

Stress oriented• Blast, Bacterial Blight, BPH, Gall midge• Soil stress, cold stress

Key players in germplasm exchange: General

1. Source of Germplasm

2. Authorized Office to issue/accept MTA

3. Plant Quarantine Office

Key players in GermplasmExchange at IRRI

A. Seed Health Unit (SHU)• The arm of Philippine Quarantine Office in IRRI

(legal function)• Entry and exit point of all incoming and outgoing

seeds in IRRI• Conducts seed health tests and field inspection

under the supervision of the Philippine Quarantine Office

• Issues standard MTA for IRRI and non-IRRI seeds

Key players in GermplasmExchange at IRRI

B. Genetic Resources

– Source of genebank materials– Issues MTA for FAO designated germp.

C. INGER/PBGB

– Major source of improved materials (IRRI and non-IRRI)

D. Intellectual Property Management Unit (IPMU)

– Issues and accepts MTA for materials with restricted use

Importing Seeds from IRRI

1. Importer informs IRRI scientist:

A. Materials needed• List of varieties, or• List of rice growing conditions

B. Contact details (fast communication)• Email address• Fax #• Telephone #

Importing Seeds from IRRI

C. Quarantine requirement• Import permit (needed or not)• Seeds free from certain pests/pathogens• Seed treatment

D. Shipping address• Not P.O. Box #• Telephone #

Importing Seeds from IRRI

E. Mode of seed transport• Air freight or Fast mail or DHL, etc.

F. Port of entry

G. Shipping requirement• Container• Customs declaration, etc.

H. Seeding time

Importing Seeds from IRRI

2. IRRI scientist informs importer:

A. Available materials (preliminary seedlist)B. MTAs for materials requestedC. Acceptance of the terms and conditions of the

MTAsD. Can accept the terms and conditions of the MTAs

for current & future seed requestE. A waiver for certain plant quarantine requirements

is needed

Importing Seeds from IRRI

3. Importer sends to the IRRI scientist:

A. Letter/email accepting the terms and conditions of the MTAs

B. Import permit (if needed)• Fax copy for seed processing• Original copy (send by fast mail) for seed dispatch

C. Waiver for certain quarantine requirements

Importing Seeds from IRRI

4. IRRI scientist sends the materials to the SHU for processing

• A minimum of two weeks is required to complete the seed health test

• Materials that fail the test will not be exported

Importing Seeds from IRRI

5. IRRI scientist informs importer about the shipping details:• date sent • shipping company• tracking #

6. Importer acknowledges receipt of seeds

Any questions or comments?

Conclusion

For efficient germplasm exchange:

• Importer should provide all documents and information needed to the exporter ASAP

• Exporter should ask for all documents and information needed by the SHU

• Exporter should inform the exporter immediately about the seed dispatch details and importer should collect the seeds at once and inform the exporter

• Importer may channel their request to INGER