viljelmäpankki

A viljelmäpankki, often translated as a crop bank or seed bank, is a facility dedicated to the conservation of plant genetic resources. Its primary function is to collect, conserve, and document seeds, plant tissues, and other genetic materials from various plant species, with a particular emphasis on crop varieties and their wild relatives. These collections are crucial for preserving biodiversity and ensuring the future availability of genetic diversity for agriculture and research.

The materials stored in a viljelmäpankki are typically kept under controlled conditions, often at very low temperatures and in dry environments, to maximize their longevity. This long-term storage allows for the preservation of genetic material that might otherwise be lost due to environmental changes, disease outbreaks, or agricultural modernization that favors a limited number of high-yielding varieties.

Viljelmäpankki collections serve multiple purposes. They are a vital resource for plant breeders seeking to develop new crop varieties with improved traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, or enhanced nutritional value. Researchers also utilize these collections to study plant evolution, genetics, and the history of crop domestication. Furthermore, in the event of widespread crop failure or natural disaster, the stored genetic material can be used to re-establish essential food crops. The establishment and maintenance of viljelmäpankki are considered a critical component of global food security and biodiversity conservation efforts.