LIVE GENE BANK OF COMMON CARP STRAINS AT THE FISH-CULTURE-RESEARCH-INSTITUTE, SZARVAS

The development of a live gene bank of domesticated carp was started i n the Fish Culture Research Institute, Szarvas, in 1963, when common c arp strains were collected from different regions of Hungary. The live gene bank has been enlarged by increasing the number of different gro ups, including common carp from different parts of Europe and Asia. At present, there are 15 Hungarian and 15 foreign strains in the gene ba nk with a number of inbred lines. Extensive experimental work has been carried out, including a study of the performance of the original gen e pool and determination of breeding value by performance tests of the ir progenies, a systematic crossing programme in which each landrace w as crossed with the others and the performance of their F-1 progeny ev aluated, the development of new varieties produced from among races an d strains, and the use of artificial gynogenesis and sex-reversal.