### Collecting new Poa genetic diversity

# Evelin Willner^1^ and Magdalena Sevcikova^2^ {#evelin-willner1-and-magdalena-sevcikova2 .Author}

^1^ Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK),
Genebank Department, Branch Station North, Malchow/Poel, Germany

^2^ OSEVA PRO Ltd., Grassland Research Station, Zubri, Czech Republic

#### Introduction

Because of the high number of accessions maintained at the IPK genebank,
collecting activities were carried out rather seldom in last years and
only in well defined cases. Instead, major efforts were directed at
improving the genebank management system and also data documentation.
This resulted in an updated European *Poa* database (EPDB), which was
used as basis to search for information on gaps in the collection. In a
next step, final decisions on collecting trip can be met, e.g. which
species, regions, traits are missing in the *Poa* collections (see Fig.
1).

After thorough analyses, it was decided to collect new genetic diversity
in genus *Poa* in a joint project with scientists from the Czech
Republic and the USA under the title "Plant Exploration in Europe to
Collect *Poa* Species for Crop Improvement". Besides *Poa supina* with
the highest priority for collecting, other species underrepresented in
European collections and in the National Plant Germplasm System,
USDA-ARS, were in the scope of this collecting mission. Because of their
possible use for turf breeding and for genomics research or
interspecific hybridisation in future, *Poa supina, P. angustifolia, P.
alpina*, etc. were collected in Germany and the Czech Republic.

#### The collecting mission

##### Conducting the mission

The mission was initiated by Dr. R.C. Johnson, USDA-ARS, Washington
State University, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Pullman, and
financed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- Agricultural Research
Service (USDA-ARS). Scientists from the IPK Genebank Department,
External Branch North at Malchow/Poel, a breeder from the breeding
company Saatzucht Steinach/Germany, OSEVA PRO Ltd., Grassland Research
Station, Zubri/Czech Republic and Pennsylvania State University,
Department of Agronomy, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA, were
involved in the plant exploration to collect *Poa* grass germplasm. In
the Czech Republic, collecting areas were located in the South Moravia
(namely the Palava Protected Landscape Area, the warmest and the most
arid area in the Czech Republic) and the Sumava National Park; in
Germany, collecting took place in the neighbouring Bohemian Forest,
further in the Oberpfälzerwald, the Bavarian Forest with natural reserve
and national park areas, and the region of the North Alps between
Passau-München along the Austrian boarder and Chiemgauer Mountains. The
collecting sites are mapped in Figs. 2 and 3.

##### Germplasm collection, increase and distribution

Collections were made in a way that natural populations were not
endangered and genetic variability was not reduced. The collection was
carried out in a range of diverse habitats (varying for climate, soil
type, drainage status, and agricultural use). A total of 345 accessions
were collected (see Tables 1 and 2) on 122 different sites (25 in the
Czech Republic and 97 in Germany). With the help of local guides and the
breeder, Mr. Berner of Saatzucht Steinach, the correct places/locations
for species of primary and secondary interest were chosen and visited.

The most samples belong to *Poa pratensis*, *P. annua* and *P. supina*
with different subspecies, but also *P. alpina, P. badensis, P. chaixii,
P. nemoralis* were obtained. The taxonomic identification of the
collected samples was sometimes unclear, and a final determination of
the botanical identity will be made after the first regeneration cycle.
The U.S. scientists will analyse the differentiation of some *Poa*
species in respect to genetic background (ploidy level) and relationship
between *Poa annua* ssp. *annua*, ssp. *mutabilis* and *P. supina* and
"new" *Poa* species.

The collected germplasm samples were split and together with gathered
associated information (collecting data) were distributed to German,
Czech and U.S. participants.

The German and Czech portions of the seeds and documentation were
deposited at the IPK Genebank and at Praha-Ruzyne. The U.S. portion was
deposited at the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). Seed
samples will be conserved by all three genebanks and are available to
scientists worldwide for use in research, training, and breeding. The
benefits to Germany and the Czech Republic from this project will be:

-   Deposition of samples of original germplasm and documentation
    collected through this project with the national genebanks

-   Secure backup conservation of germplasm in the USDA NPGS, where it
    will always be available for repatriation to Germany or the Czech
    Republic

-   Professional collaborations between German, Czech and U.S.
    scientists and institutions will be promoted

-   Increased knowledge on the location and status of native grass
    populations in Germany and Czech Republic.

##### Plans for future activities

The original seed samples will be used for seed increases
(multiplication), as well as for the first characterizations (including
both botanical clarifications and morphological trait descriptions) and
evaluations. These and all data (collection, cultivation, passport) will
be recorded in IPK's GBIS (Gene Bank Information System) and transferred
to the EPDB, see Fig.1. As a result, improved databases for an enhanced
utilization of *Poa* plant genetic resources can be developed. In the
case of vegetative material, the German partners will multiply it in
Germany during 2006/2007, and a part of the harvested seed will be
forwarded to the USDA NPGS, Beltsville.

**Fig.1.** Information circuit for enhanced utilization of PGR and their
respective databases

**Fig. 2.** Collecting sites (25) of the *Poa* germplasm expedition in
the Czech Republic, ![](media/image1.png){width="5.875in"
height="3.4993055555555554in"} CZEPOA-06 from June 21^st^ to 26^th^,
2006

**Fig. 3.** Collecting sites (97) of the *Poa* germplasm expedition in
Germany,

DEUPOA-06 from June 26^th^ to July 07^th^, 2006

![](media/image2.wmf){width="5.6917322834645665in"
height="4.092913385826772in"}

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.125in" height="3.422222222222222in"}

**Tab. 1: Summary of collected samples in Czech Republic -- Bohemian
Forest and South Moravian area 2006**

**Tab. 2: Summary of collected samples in Germany - Bayerischer Wald
2006**