Such knowledge is necessary to identify gaps in collections and so that breeders know where to find certain genetic qualities they are seeking for plant breeding purposes. Even under optimal ex situ storage conditions, seed viability will decline, necessitating regeneration in order to replenish seed stocks. FAO estimates that as many as one million accessions may now be in need of replanting in order to generate new seeds for storage. The debate over patenting of life forms led to concern about the legal status of those collections, built as they were on untold tens of thousands of donations by long-forgotten farmers. Founded in 1967 to focus on crop improvement in Latin American lowland tropical agriculture.
Research covers rice, beans, cassava, forages and pasture.
Founded 1992 to focus on research on forest conservation and sustainable development. Focus on crop improvement in maize, wheat, barley and triticale. CIP - Centro Internacional de la Papa, Lima, Peru. Focus on potato and sweet potato improvement with special attention to the ecology of specific mountain regions. Conservation of gene pools for crops and forages.