b'Why our National Gene Bank System is the Backbone of the Breeding WorldPLANT BREEDERS REALIZEand appreciate thecontent on plant genetic resources (PGR) conserva-importance of having access to an extensive set oftion and use. The project is funded by a grant from germplasm for their breeding needs. Everyone is facedthe USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture with new objectives in their program, be it for a new(NIFA), and includes investigators from ARS, Colorado disease or insect resistance, or looking for novel nutri- State University, and Iowa State University.tional traits, or simply to improve yield and resilience.As part of the GRIN family of products, GRIN-U These days, most people include heat and droughtcontains audio-visual (videos, virtual tours, podcasts) tolerance among their objectives, and some of theand printed (e-books, infographics, manuals) materials materials in the germplasm system are potentially veryon a variety of topics related to PGR management and PATRICK BYRNE,excellent for thatespecially some of the wild rela- plant gene bank operations.Grin-U Project Leadtives of crop plants. and Colorado StateOur national germplasm systemaccessed University Professor through the Germplasm Resources Information Network (or GRIN, found at ars-grin.gov)has nearlyWe need people to know about the 600,000 accessions representing more than 16,000 plant species of agricultural importance to the U.S.importance of the GRIN system, and how Itsan excellent resource that distributes germplasmcontinued funding is necessary to ensure around the world free of charge. Its a credit to the USDA that they do this as a public service. it remains a viable tool that breeders can Through a search engine that lists all of the acces- continue to benefit from.sions in the GRIN system, you can find germplasm by species, variety name, and even plant introduction (PI) number. It offers a complete list of everything our national germplasm system has available.Sustaining the network of gene banks that con-Using the search engine, you can really narrow thingsserve PGR requires knowledgeable staff with skills down. In some cases, you could get trait data for, say,in acquiring, maintaining, regenerating, evaluating, reaction to a particular disease of interest. Or you coulddocumenting, and distributing PGR accessions. The get information on color of the seed or the flower.GRIN-U.org site is aimed at helping gene bank staff Among the breeding community, theres goodgain and enhance their skills in these areas. Information awareness that the GRIN system is there, but amongis also provided to guide plant breeders and geneti-other members of the seed community, many dontcists in uncovering gene functions and incorporating realize that the system even exists. For example, on myuseful genes into new varieties.campus at Colorado State University (CSU), we haveWe need people to know about the importance of the USDAs largest backup collection of seeds. It reallythe GRIN system, and how continued funding is neces-is a gold mine. Many students and even staff who worksary to ensure it remains a viable tool that breeders at CSU dont realize that the facility is there.can continue to benefit from. As a result, Im happy to be part of an informa- Its our hope that this site will raise awareness and tion project designed to raise awareness of the GRINhelp those who can use these resourcesand also system, and therefore, to ensure continued support,those in government who fund the GRIN systemto both in terms of community involvement and financialunderstand how critical our national gene bank system contributions, to maintain and expand it. is, and how it needs to be maintained and strength-Through our website found at GRIN-U.org, we haveened to ensure plant breeders can create the crops provided open access to educational and trainingthat will feed the world of tomorrow. SW56/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2023'