USDA-ARS, Plant Genetic Resources Unit

630 West North Street

Geneva, NY 14456

(315) 787-2244

Mission:
The USDA-ARS Plant Genetic Resources Unit is a component of the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System.  This Unit's mission is to acquire, maintain, characterize, and distribute plant genetic resources of selected crops. These genetic resources are critical biological raw material for continued improvement of the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. Currently, around 20,000 accessions are held, representing nearly 200 species and encompassing both seed-propagated and clonal germplasm. Some of the larger crop collections include: apple, grape, onion, tomato, and vegetable Brassica crops. Research activities focus on problems related to collection management and use, including: application of whole plant, cellular, and molecular markers to assess diversity of germplasm collections; in vitro and cryopreservation of clonal and seed propagules; and virus detection and eradication.

• Conservation and Utilization of Germplasm of Selected Vegetable Crops
• Conservation and Utilization of the Genetic Resources of Apples, Grapes, and Tart Cherries
• Evaluation of Pest, Disease Resistance, and Stress Tolerance in Apple Rootstocks

Research Leader: Philip L. Forsline
Vegetable Crops Curator: Dr. Larry D. Robertson
Tart Cherry and Apple Curator: Philip Forsline
Grape Curator: Dr. Charles Simon