seedbanks

Seedbanks are facilities that preserve seeds to safeguard the genetic diversity of crops, vegetables, and wild relatives. They serve long-term conservation, support plant breeding, protect food security, and enable scientific research. Seedbanks operate as ex situ collections, complementing in situ preservation in habitats and on farms. They range from national programs and university collections to NGO initiatives and international networks, with thousands to millions of accessions representing major crops, their landraces, and wild relatives.

Most seedbanks store orthodox seeds, which can be dried and frozen, enabling long-term viability. Recalcitrant seeds, which tolerate neither drying nor freezing, require different methods. Standard storage involves reducing moisture, sealing in containers, and maintaining low temperatures, typically around -18°C (or colder in some facilities). Some facilities use cryopreservation or permafrost storage, such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, to provide backups against regional losses. Seed viability is regularly tested, and many species are regenerated—grown to replenish seed stocks—every few years to maintain sufficient vigor.

Cataloging is essential. Accession records include passport data, characterization, and evaluation notes, and online databases such as Genesys, GRIN-Global, and EURISCO make holdings searchable. Access policies vary by institution and country; seedbanks commonly share material for research and breeding while complying with formal laws and treaties, including the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which governs access and benefit-sharing for many crops.

Notable examples include the Svalbard Seed Vault, national genebanks, and repositories managed by international organizations such as Bioversity International and CGIAR centers. Seedbanks face funding, climate-related risks, and ongoing regeneration challenges but remain central to conserving plant diversity for future agriculture.