Phytosanitary Interventions for Safe Global Germplasm Exchange and the Prevention of Transboundary Pest Spread: The Role of CGIAR Germplasm Health Units

Kumar, P L and Cuervo, M and Kreuze, J F and Muller, G and Kulkarni, G and Kumari, S G and Massart, S and Mezzalama, M and Alakonya, A and Muchugi, A and Graziosi, I and Ndjiondjop, M N and Sharma, R and Negawo, A T (2021) Phytosanitary Interventions for Safe Global Germplasm Exchange and the Prevention of Transboundary Pest Spread: The Role of CGIAR Germplasm Health Units. Plants (TSI), 10 (328). pp. 1-29. ISSN 2223-7747

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Abstract

The inherent ability of seeds (orthodox, intermediate, and recalcitrant seeds and vegetative propagules) to serve as carriers of pests and pathogens (hereafter referred to as pests) and the risk of transboundary spread along with the seed movement present a high-risk factor for international germplasm distribution activities. Quarantine and phytosanitary procedures have been established by many countries around the world to minimize seed-borne pest spread by screening export and import consignments of germplasm. The effectiveness of these time-consuming and cost-intensive procedures depends on the knowledge of pest distribution, availability of diagnostic tools for seed health testing, qualified operators, procedures for inspection, and seed phytosanitation. This review describes a unique multidisciplinary approach used by the CGIAR Germplasm Health Units (GHUs) in ensuring phytosanitary protection for the safe conservation and global movement of germplasm from the 11 CGIAR genebanks and breeding programs that acquire and distribute germplasm to and from all parts of the world for agricultural research and food security. We also present the challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations stemming from the experience of GHUs, which collaborate with the national quarantine systems to export and distribute about 100,000 germplasm samples annually to partners located in about 90 to 100 countries. Furthermore, we describe how GHUs adjust their procedures to stay in alignment with evolving phytosanitary regulations and pest risk scenarios. In conclusion, we state the benefits of globally coordinated phytosanitary networks for the prevention of the intercontinental spread of pests that are transmissible through plant propagation materials.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : Asia
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	CGIAR, Crop genetic resources, Diagnostics, Germplasm, Crop breeding, Pathogen, Pest, Plant Treaty, Phytosanitary, Regulations, Transboundary pests, Invasive species, Prevention, Quarantine, Seed, Seed health, Virus indexing
Subjects:	Others > Plant Breeding Others > Pest Management Others > CGIAR Research Others > Seeds/Seed Bank Others > Germplasm
Depositing User:	Mr Arun S
Date Deposited:	21 May 2021 06:25
Last Modified:	21 May 2021 06:25
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/11812
Official URL:	https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10020328
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	We thank the editors of this special issue, Andreas Ebert and Jan Engels, for inviting us to write this article and for their critical review and valuable suggestions for improvement. We also thank Nelissa Jamora of Crop Trust (Bonn, Germany) and Alabi Tunrayo of IITA for their help with the preparation of geographic maps used in this manuscript.
Links:	Google Scholar

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