MANAGERIAL TOOLS FOR SEED REGENERATION

This report reviews some tools that curators of ex situ plant germplas m collections can employ to manage seed regeneration. It examines the various roles of germplasm users as sources of technical expertise and advice about germplasm needs. Analysis of past demand for germplasm a nd forecasts of future demand trends are valuable guides to plan regen eration. Seed quantity and viability are key planning criteria, but re generation planning should also weigh such factors as overall genetic diversity within collections, institutional duplication, and the relat ive quality and completeness of passport and characterization data. Th e North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station conducts applied r esearch to develop effective techniques for seed multiplication of cro ss-pollinated crops and their wild relatives. An overview of the Stati on's experiences with insect pollination in field cages, high-density pot culture, and mating scheme evaluation for maize is presented. Opti mal use of all these management tools relies on the development of a c orps of crop-specific curators, who can gain the expertise needed to a nticipate users' needs and understand the intricate patterns of geneti c diversity and reproductive biology within their respective crops.