German Gene Bank for Ornamentals

German Gene Bank for Ornamentals

The German Gene Bank for Ornamentals was founded in 2009 to preserve the diversity of ornamental plant genetic resources and allow the continued long-term use of these resources. The Federal Plant Variety Office coordinates the German Gene Bank for Ornamentals on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). The Federal Plant Variety Office partners with public and private plant collectors, scientists and professional organisations. The Federal Plant Variety Office also cooperates with the Information and Coordination Centre for Biological Diversity (IBV) of the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE). The IBV incorporates the gene banks in national and international cooperation partnerships. Therefore, information provided by the BMEL on plant genetic resources is included in the National Inventory on Plant Genetic Resources in Germany (PGRDEU). In addition, this information is included in the European Plant Genetic Resources Catalogue (EURISCO) of the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR).

The framework for BMEL’s activities is set out in the National Strategy on Biological Diversity. The national strategy is supplemented and substantiated by means of the National Work Programme and the BMEL agro-biodiversity strategy (Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries). Further information on the framework conditions and the goals of the German Gene Bank for Ornamentals can be found using the following links.

The German Gene Bank for Ornamentals consists of four gene banks and a plant collection network. Biodiversity is protected by BMEL partners and ensured for the future in over 160 plant collections. Every gene bank includes the Federal Plant Variety Office, BLE and a coordination centre, as well as collectors and supporters, (German Gene Bank for Ornamentals organisation chart, Federal Plant Variety Office 2018). The collector partners provide material for the collection and supporting partners are valuable for their expertise. The gene banks use the general BMEL logo.

The German gene banks include:

The BMEL receives scientific advice from the expert advisory committee at the German Gene Bank for Ornamentals.

Coordination centre of the German Gene Bank for Ornamentals:

Katja Näthke
Federal Plant Variety Office
Osterfelddamm 80
30627 Hannover

Telephone: +49 511 9566-50
Fax: +49 511 9566-9600
Email: dgz@  bundessortenamt.  de

Additional links and documents can be found on the following page.