The T.T. Chang Genetic Resources Center in The Philippines is the largest collection of rice diversity in the world, with more than 127,000 accessions, including genetic stocks, landraces and wild relatives.
Website
IRRI has a strong focus on seed conservation research, largely directed to greater longevity of seeds in storage and improved precision of predicted seed longevity. The T.T. Chang Genetic Resources Center is actively working to improve efficiency, for example by testing an automated seed sorter that will allow seed processing to take place overnight and thus free staff for other routine operations.
The genetic resources center also has a molecular genetics team working on genetic diversity and biosystematics, and using genetic markers to find beneficial versions of genes. Data are managed, maintained and made available through the International Rice Genebank Collection Information System (IRGCIS).
The Germplasm Health Unit is well established and is a recognized component of the Philippines quarantine and phytosanitary certification system with responsibilities to the Philippines Government as well as to IRRI.
Key staff
Head, T.T. Chang Genetic Resources Center: Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton
Head of Germplasm Health Unit: Patria Gonzales
Genebank Manager: Flora de Guzman
Deputy Head, T.T. Chang Genetic Resources Center: Fiona Hay
External links
Website
Search Genesys for accessions at IRRI
Status of IRRI genebank according to performance targets
| 2016 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Accessions | 127,917 | 130,139 |
| Availability | 94% | 92% |
| Safety duplication | 91% | 89% |
| Passport Data Completeness Index (Average) | 5.50 | 5.45 |
International Rice Genebank by the numbers
| Full-time staff equivalents | 41.7 |
| Date to reach performance targets | 2016 |
| Projected accession numbers in 2022 | 130,000 |
