Gene banks preserve wild crop relatives by collecting documented plant material, choosing storage suited to each species, monitoring whether it remains viable, and renewing stocks carefully when needed. They also keep safety duplicates and records, then make material available for research and breeding under applicable access and plant-health rules. This work complements conservation in the wild; it cannot replace it.
Why preserve crop wild relatives in gene banks?
Crop wild relatives are wild plant species related to cultivated crops. Their value to breeding lies in traits that may help crops respond to changing conditions. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, notes that crop wild relatives hold important traits for resilience to global change and are under-represented in seed banks. Preserving material now gives researchers and breeders a way to study and use it in the future.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A gene bank is an ex situ conservation system: it keeps plant material outside the habitat where it naturally grows. That can protect a collection from some risks to a particular site, while making samples available for research and breeding. But a stored sample does not conserve the species’ habitat, ecological relationships, or continued evolution in the wild. Ex situ collections work best alongside in situ conservation, which protects plants in their natural settings.
Recommended Free Tools
The scale of a collection should be understood in context. CGIAR Genebanks reported 730,000 accessions across 11 CGIAR genebanks on its conservation page accessed in 2026; that is an institutional figure, not a count of all plant genetic resources worldwide. Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank Seed Collection page, accessed in 2026, reported more than 2.4 billion seeds representing almost 40,000 species. That is Kew’s broad wild-plant collection, not a total for crop wild relatives alone. Both figures may change as collections and reporting are updated.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How does material move from collection to long-term storage?
1. Collect material to address gaps and capture diversity
Collection planning begins with what is already represented in existing collections and what remains missing. For crop wild relatives, priorities should account for geographic and ecological diversity rather than simply adding more samples from places or populations already well represented. FAO’s voluntary guidelines connect national planning for crop wild relatives with both in situ conservation and ex situ collections. The priorities and collection process depend on national data, policy, institutions, and resources.
Collected material needs reliable identity and provenance information: what the material is and where it came from. Without that context, a sample can be difficult to interpret or use. Kew describes curation information that includes passport data, plant identification, seed longevity and viability, and knowledge about overcoming dormancy. Curation also aims to maximize germination while avoiding selection during the plant’s life cycle. These records help maintain a useful link between the stored material and its biological and collection context.
2. Select a preservation method that matches the plant
There is no one storage recipe for all crop wild relatives. The key distinction is whether seeds tolerate drying and cold storage. FAO’s genebank standards describe separate workflows for orthodox seeds, field genebanks, and in vitro culture and cryopreservation. They are standards coverage areas—not a claim that every genebank uses every method for every crop.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| Method | Material kept | What the workflow involves | Important fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodox-seed storage | Seeds that can be dried and stored cold | Acquisition and processing; drying and storage; viability monitoring; regeneration; characterization and evaluation; documentation; distribution; safety duplication and security | Suitable only when the seeds’ storage behavior allows conventional drying and cold storage |
| Field genebank | Living plants maintained in a field collection | Location selection and collection establishment; field management; regeneration and propagation; characterization and evaluation; documentation; distribution; security and safety duplication | Provides a living collection for material that is not maintained through orthodox-seed storage |
| In vitro culture and cryopreservation | Plant material maintained in culture or preserved through cryopreservation | Screening for non-orthodox behavior; assessing water content and viability; hydrated storage for recalcitrant seeds; in vitro or slow-growth storage; cryopreservation; documentation, distribution, exchange and security | Used where seed behavior or other technical constraints call for alternatives to conventional seed storage |
The table describes different workflows, not a ranking of methods. FAO’s standards do not establish a universal cost comparison or one method that is best for every species. Choosing among them is a technical decision about the species, the material available, and the conservation purpose.
Kew offers a specific example of orthodox-seed practice at its Millennium Seed Bank: seeds are prepared and dried to 15% equilibrium relative humidity, then stored at −20°C. Those are Kew’s stated conditions, reported on its collection page accessed in 2026—not a universal specification for crop wild relatives or all gene banks.
What happens when seeds cannot be stored conventionally?
Some seeds do not survive the drying and freezing used for orthodox storage, while others are difficult to collect in sufficient quantities or hard to germinate after storage. Kew identifies insufficient seed quantities, intolerance of drying (known as recalcitrant behavior), sensitivity to conventional freezer storage, and complex dormancy as barriers to seed banking. Its collection page says current data suggest around one in ten species have recalcitrant seeds, with substantial variation by habitat; moist tropical forests may have a much higher share among trees and shrubs. That is a broad species estimate, not an estimate for crop wild relatives specifically.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
For these cases, the alternatives described in FAO standards include hydrated storage for recalcitrant seeds, living field collections, in vitro culture, and cryopreservation. In vitro approaches keep material in culture; slow-growth storage is one described option. Cryopreservation is a specialized preservation method, not simply a universal freezer setting that can be applied to any plant. A suitable route depends on the material’s behavior and the technical requirements of the method.
Scarcity and dormancy create different practical challenges. If a collection has too little seed, there may be limited material for storage and later use. If seeds have complex dormancy, keeping them cold is not enough: staff also need knowledge of how to encourage germination. Kew’s curation elements include tracking dormancy-breaking knowledge and maximizing germination, reflecting the fact that preservation must keep material usable, not merely stored.
How do gene banks keep stored material usable?
Monitor viability and regenerate when needed
Stored seeds can lose the ability to germinate over time, so collections need viability monitoring. When stocks need to be renewed, staff regenerate the material by growing plants and collecting new seed or otherwise propagating the material, depending on the method. CGIAR guidance says regeneration is used to maintain enough seed with adequate viability and should follow best practices that protect genetic integrity and seed longevity.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Regeneration is a point where curation matters: the renewed stock needs to remain representative of the material held in the collection. It is therefore not enough to produce more seed; the process must be managed to limit unwanted selection during the plant life cycle. Kew similarly identifies efforts to maximize germination while avoiding selection as part of seed-bank curation. These practices reduce the risk that the stored collection changes in ways that undermine its future value.
Add information that helps users find useful traits
Passport information says what a sample is and where it originated. Characterization and evaluation add information about features that may matter to users. CGIAR gives examples including yield, resistance to pests and diseases, nutritional qualities, and tolerance of abiotic stresses. Trait information can help breeders and researchers identify which material is worth investigating for a particular question; it does not by itself guarantee that a trait will transfer into a crop or perform as desired in a breeding program.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Why are duplicate samples and records essential?
A collection is more resilient when it is not dependent on one physical location. CGIAR guidance calls for offsite safety duplication for all accessions, with duplicates renewed when necessary. A safety duplicate is a backup copy held away from the primary collection so that material can be recovered if the main holding is lost or damaged.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Records need protection too. CGIAR emphasizes the integrity, backup, recovery, and restoration of accession data, alongside risk management that includes mitigation measures, emergency procedures, and recovery plans. A seed sample separated from dependable identification and provenance data can lose much of its value to researchers or breeders. Protecting the material and the information that explains it are therefore related parts of the same conservation system.
How can breeders and researchers obtain gene-bank material?
Gene banks distribute seeds or other planting material under applicable international legislation and phytosanitary controls. CGIAR states that its collections are available to researchers, breeders, communities, and farmers under Plant Treaty terms. That describes CGIAR’s own collection framework; it should not be assumed to apply identically to every genebank or every sample.
Access conditions depend on the material, the holding institution, and relevant agreements. Someone seeking material should use the specific genebank’s request process and follow its requirements for access, transfer, and plant-health documentation. The fact that material is conserved does not mean every sample can be sent without conditions: legal rules and phytosanitary controls govern distribution.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For a breeding program, the useful sequence is to identify a research need, use collection information to find candidate material, and then contact the holding genebank to request it under that institution’s terms. Trait characterization can help narrow candidates, while provenance and identity data help researchers interpret what they receive. Availability remains subject to the collection’s rules and the requirements that apply to the material and its transfer.
What makes preservation successful?
Long-term preservation is a chain of decisions rather than a single act of placing seed in cold storage. Collection design determines which diversity enters the bank. Species biology determines the storage method. Viability checks and careful regeneration help keep samples alive and representative. Safety duplication and protected records support recovery, while characterization and controlled distribution make the collection useful for future research and breeding.
FAO describes its voluntary genebank standards as a benchmark for current scientific and technical best practices and as support for international policy instruments on conserving and using plant genetic resources. In practice, the standards’ distinct workflows underscore why a gene bank must match its methods to the material instead of treating all wild relatives as interchangeable seed lots.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
