Introduction to Documenting Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

The Crop Trust is a non-profit international organization dedicated to conserving crop diversity and making it available for use globally, forever, for the benefit of everyone.

We work with donors and partners to lead global projects that protect crop diversity, conserve crop wild relatives and develop technology to make this diversity accessible worldwide.

We seek professionals with a passion for global food security and a strong drive to contribute to our mission of conserving crop diversity for future generations.

Type

Self-Paced

Duration

1 hour

Fee

Free

Topics

Documentation

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Overview

Plant genetic resources are most valuable when supported by accurate, complete, and accessible data. In this e-learning course, you will learn the principles and best practices of documenting plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). The course explores the role of accurate, complete and well-structured data in enhancing the conservation, management and use of germplasm held in genebanks. You will be introduced to data standards, documentation systems and global information platforms that support informed decision-making and contribute to global goals, including food security.

This course offers certification.

This course is part of an e-learning series on data management for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), which introduces essential concepts, tools and systems, as well as best practices for documenting and sharing PGRFA data. Other courses in the series include:

Course 1: Introduction to Documenting Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Course 2: The Global Information System
Course 3: Germplasm Resources Information Network - Global community edition and Genesys (under development)
Course 4: Global Crop Conservation Strategies

Host

FAO elearning Academy

The FAO elearning Academy provides learning opportunities and multilingual elearning courses for professionals working in food and nutrition security, social and economic development, and sustainable management of natural resources, with the overall goal of strengthening the capacity of member countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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Related Courses

The Global Information System

This e-learning course aims to introduce the Global Information System (GLIS) on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) and explore the legal foundations of GLIS under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). Moreover, this course aims to unpack the basic features and advantages of using digital object identifiers (DOIs) and their application to PGRFA in the context of GLIS.

Finally, this course aims to inform participants about key value-added services offered by the DOI system that benefit actors involved in the conservation, development and research of PGRFA.

This course was supported by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Crop Trust.

Course 1: Introduction to Documenting Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Course 2: The Global Information System
Course 3: Germplasm Resources Information Network - Global community edition and Genesys (under development)
Course 4: Global Crop Conservation Strategies

Managing Collections Data

This course introduces the principles and practices of collections data management for staff at botanic gardens and plant conservation institutions, particularly those at newer or less-resourced organizations. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of how to develop or improve a data management system and how to digitize existing records.

The course explores the connection between collections policy and data management, emphasizing the importance of accurate, well-maintained data. Learners will examine which data fields are essential for effective record-keeping, explore various approaches to managing and storing data, and understand the value and methods of sharing collections data with other institutions.

By the end of this module you will: 

Understand the link between collections policy and collection data management 
Understand the importance of recording and maintaining collections data 
Recognise which data should be held and why 
Be familiar with the different ways this data can be stored, presented and kept up-to-date 
Be able to understand which fields are important for storing collections data 
Know how and why data should be shared with other institutions (share your data on PlantSearch)

Seed Conservation

This course provides an introduction to seed conservation for botanic gardens or other seed conservation partners with limited or no skills in seed conservation or seed banking.

By end of the course participants will:

Have an understanding of seed conservation
Be able to identify the different steps involved in seed conservation
Recognise good practice in seed collection and banking
Understand the seed banking standards
Have knowledge of case studies addressing native seed supply

This course is open access. For questions please contact BGCI's training team.