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Seed multiplication

Seed multiplication and regeneration are common operations in genebanks, and GGCE provides tools that support this process. Here we give general guidance on using GGCE functionality in the multiplication process.

We recognize that genebanks follow different standard operating procedures (SOPs), and for the purposes of this text we ask you to be flexible with the names we use for the different activities. The differences between rejuvenation, regeneration, and multiplication are not considered, and we assume that they follow the same general steps, resulting in a new generation of seed.

Overview of the process​

The multiplication process always includes the following required activities or steps, done in the genebank:

  1. Planning and selecting the material that will go out for regeneration/multiplication
  2. Preparing the samples to be planted by fetching them from storage
  3. Field layout plan

The samples are then transported to the field/screenhouse for:

  1. Growing out: Planting, monitoring, crop management
  2. Collecting trait data
  3. Harvesting

After that, the bulk harvested material is transported back to the genebank for:

  1. Processing (threshing, drying, cleaning)
  2. Packing and labeling
  3. Placing in storage

You can imagine where any other activities that are part of SOPs would be inserted in this general list of activities. Measuring the initial seed viability, for example, belongs in step 7.

A short demonstration​

The video guide below shows how to:

  1. Create a distribution request for the material that requires multiplication
  2. Create withdrawn inventories that will be tracked back to the genebank
  3. Register harvested material as a new generation and automatically print the corresponding labels

Planning for multiplication: Multiplication list​

In GGCE we use the Multiplication inventory action for flagging the material that should be considered for multiplication. The inventory action records when and who put the material on the list, when the multiplication should start, and whether it is included in the current batch that is being prepared for planting.

Material is put on a list for multiplication for various reasons, most commonly as a result of low quantity on hand of material, or meeting the critical viability thresholds. Which criteria you use is completely flexible and up to your SOP. To put material on the Multiplication list, simply schedule a new Multiplication action on the inventories that meet your criteria.

There are multiple ways in GGCE to explore the current list of material that should be considered for multiplication, the easiest one is found under Inventory > Multiplication order. It lists the inventories currently scheduled for multiplication. Inventories will remain on this list until the Multiplication action is started or canceled.

Preparation of samples for multiplication​

Before we begin preparing samples we need to know the capacity for multiplication (i.e. number of plots available), as that determines how many samples we should prepare. Which of the materials from the Multiplication list will be included depends on various factors (e.g. location and climate of the site, seasonality, etc.) and these factors are considered when making the selection.

The preparation of samples for planting begins as a new Distribution Request of type Multiplication, with the final recipient set to the person who needs to receive the samples for planting. The material to include in this multiplication batch are added as requested items, and the request is then processed as any other request (retrieval from storage, packing and labeling of samples) and the samples delivered to the person coordinating the multiplication effort.

Inventory > Multiplication order provides a convenient shortcut: if you have capacity for 50 accessions, you can pick 50 inventories from the list and include them a new Distribution Request. This will remove the selected inventories from the Multiplication list (by changing the status of Multiplication action to started).

Packing and labeling of samples​

In distribution to users we label the samples with the identity of the source material and any information about those samples will relate to the source inventory. This also applies to internal distribution for viability and plant health testing: the results are associated with the inventory from where the sample was taken.

But for multiplication we track the outgoing samples and link the activities and information to those, instead of relating it with the inventory from which the sample was taken. These withdrawn inventories also return to the genebank as a new generation of seed.

The function Create withdrawn inventories in the request for Multiplication will create and register the withdrawn inventories. For each material in the request, a new inventory is created, automatically numbered and linked to its source material.

A specially designed distribution label is used for the outgoing seed. This template uses distribution request item’s withdrawn inventory instead of the source inventory which is used for other types of distribution. The labels are printed from the Multiplication request in Distribution > Request > Order items.

Field layout and experiment design​

The preparation of samples for multiplication required the information about the number of plots available (capacity) and we selected the material from the Multiplication list that fits the conditions of the site.

In planning for planting, each sample is assigned to a plot (plot number). External tools are used for plot layout and assignments. The resulting site, field, and plot number may be recorded as inventory location.

In the field/screenhouse​

The withdrawn inventories are planted in the field and the plots labeled with the corresponding barcoded labels. These labels will be returned with the harvested material to the genebank for processing.

Trait and other data can be captured in the field with the Fieldbook App or using existing methods. Activities carried out in the field are recorded as inventory actions, and they will link to the withdrawn inventories that were planted.

Harvest and processing​

At harvest time, the material in the field is packed, including the barcoded label, and brought to the genebank for processing.

GGCE provides Inventory > Harvest tool to help with the registration of incoming inventory: we need to know that planted samples were successfully harvested and returned, and we want to know if an of them did not. This tool is based on inventory action Harvest. This action can be automatically scheduled through workflows, or added manually.

The Harvest tool will create new inventories with incremented generation number, harvested quantity, and link them with the source (planted) material, and set to zero the quantity on hand for the planted material.

Pre-storage processing​

These inventories are the harvested inventories, and they undergo the usual processing: threshing, cleaning, drying, viability testing, virus indexing, etc. All actions and results are associated with the harvested material (not the planted inventories, nor with source inventories that still sit in the freezer).

Packing and storage​

When the bulk harvested material is processed and ready for storage, we use Inventory > Split inventory to create individual inventory records for each packet. These have new barcodes, a new identity, but they inherit from the harvested inventory the generation number, plant health status, and initial viability.

The labeled packets are then put in corresponding storage conditions using the Inventory > Assign location tool.

From that moment on, the harvested material is part of the collection.