WEL Gene Bank: The National Gene Bank for German Crop Wild Relative Species

Abstract

The German “Genbank für Wildpflanzen für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft” (WEL) is a gene bank for crop wild relatives for which the German term ‘WEL’ species has been coined. The WEL gene bank was established in 2009 as a national network to protect wild plant genetic resources in Germany to protect and ensure availability of WEL seed material. The 2,800 species of wild plants used for nutrition and agriculture (crop wild relatives) represent a substantial proportion of our native 4,300 fern and flowering plant species. The WEL gene bank project has produced a valuable resource for future research projects and for use in crop breeding. Participating in this network are the Botanical Gardens of Berlin, Karlsruhe, Osnabrück and Regensburg, as well as the Educational College of Karlsruhe. The WEL gene bank is under management of the Botanical Garden of Osnabrück, Germany. The Information and coordination centre of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) is responsible for the integration of the WEL gene bank in the “National Specialist Programme for Plant Genetic Resources” (PGDEU).

There are currently 4,500 accessions of 272 species in the WEL gene bank. Currently no further funding is available, although the WEL gene bank needs further development.