German Gene Bank for Ornamentals
The great diversity of ornamental plants is an important resource worth protecting. The German Gene Bank for Ornamentals (Deutsche Genbank Zierpflanzen - DGZ) was founded in 2009 with the goal to preserve this diversity in Germany and to allow the continued long-term use of these resources. Under the coordination of the Federal Plant Variety Office (BSA) and on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, the DGZ cooperates with public and private plant collections, scientific institutions as well as professional organisations, plant societies and non-governmental organisations. In addition, the BSA cooperates with the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).
The German Gene Bank for Ornamentals includes
- German Gene Bank for Rhododendrons
- German Gene Bank for Roses
- Gene Bank for Seed Propagated Ornamentals
- Gene Bank for Vegetatively Propagated Ornamentals
- Plant Collection Network
Each gene bank consists of a coordination centre, collection-holding and supporting partners, as well as the BSA and the BLE (DGZ Organisation chart). The collection-holding partners provide material material for the gene banks, while supporting partners are important contributors thanks to their expertise. All gene banks and subnetworks operate under the common DGZ logo. Scientific advice is provided by the advisory board of the German Gene Bank for Ornamentals.
A wide variety of ornamental plants are cultivated in public and private collections throughout Germany. The collections are documented and described. If required and possible, material is made available.
The centralised and publicly accessible publication of the collected information is an essential part of the work. For this purpose databases have been established for the areas of rhododendron, rose and Plant Collection Network and the DGZ database for the Gene Banks for Seed- and Vegetatively Propagated Ornamentals.
The BLE integrates the gene banks into national and international co-operations. For example, the information is part of the National Inventory of Plant Genetic Resources in Germany (PGRDEU). They are also included in the European Plant Genetic Resources Catalogue (EURISCO).
If you have any questions about the DGZ or are interested in plant material, please contact:
Coordination centre of the German Gene Bank for Ornamentals:
Federal Plant Variety Office
Osterfelddamm 80
30627 Hanover, Germany
Contact person
Katja Näthke
Phone: 0511 9566-50
E-mail: dgz@bundessortenamt.de