An online survey addressed to members listed in the European Cooperative Programme for Crop Genetic Resources Networks Working Group on Grain Legumes and Grain Legumes (GL) germplasm managers and breeders was carried out to pinpoint the current problems in the management of GL germplasm, to work out the criteria and decisions involved in the implementation of regeneration procedures and to identify strategic areas where further research is required. The survey was divided into three sections: (1) germplasm collection details and current status of the regeneration needs; (2) assessment over the understanding of basic information required to carry out appropriate regeneration procedures such as the breeding systems, the pollination requirements and pollinating agents, the isolation techniques and regeneration facilities; and (3) assessment of different options, in addition to “ex situ”, such as “in situ” and “on farm” conservation. Obtaining, collating and analysing different kinds of existing data on mating system of GL species, effective pollination control methods and isolation facilities by species and location is one example of a priority issue. The GL community makes a clear request for greater support for the development of well-designed methodologies of regeneration that maintain the genetic structure of populations and that the optimum regeneration strategy is most likely to be achieved through integrating pollinators with the regeneration procedures. A major concern of the GL community is the lack of empirical scientific information on the most suitable pollinator agents.

Peer Reviewed