Genetic resourceS of agricultural crops
The National Programme for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture ensures the systematic collection and long-term preservation of Estonia’s agricultural heritage. Advanced varieties, breeding materials, and local landraces are a valuable genetic resource that enriches our overall floral diversity.
Collecting, researching, and storing these genetic resources is essential to ensuring intra-species variability and preserving the vital traits of the material. Our mission is to safeguard the genetic diversity of crops, fruits, and ornamental plants for future generations.
Let us know about the old native varieties of fruit and berry trees, vegetables and landraces growing in your home garden!
Collection, preservation and scientific investigation of agricultural crops and making this material freely available.
Main activities:
- Long-term preservation of cereals, forage grasses, legumes, oilseed crops and vegetable seeds.
- Assessment and characterisation of the preserved material.
- Collection of seeds from natural habitats and home gardens.
- Providing free access to users (breeders, biologists, agricultural scientists, gene technologists, other gene banks).
DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Preservation of vegetatively propagated crops collection in vitro and use of non-transgenic plant biotechnology methods for breeding.
Basic and applied research in agriculture.
Main activities:
- Preservation of the in vitro collection for the virus-free and varietal identity of potato varieties.
- Horticultural (plum, cherry, sour cherry, pear, strawberry, raspberry, apple) tissue cultures and the preservation of the variety of collection.
The Polli Horticultural Research Centre of the Institute of Agriculture and Environment of the Estonian University of Life Sciences is conducting breeding and research on horticultural crops, as well as preservation of varieties.
Main activities:
- Plant breeding of apples, pears, plum, sweet cherry, black currant and raspberry.
- Development of fruit and berry cultivation technology, investigations on plant protection and organic cultivation.
- Preservation, exploration and utilisation of the fruit and berry varieties of Estonian origin.
The aim of the University of Tartu Botanical Garden is to preserve and collect the genetic diversity of Estonian ornamental plants.
In cooperation with the Institute of Pharmacy of the University of Tartu, species diversity of aromatic and medicinal plants is preserved and studied.
Main activities:
- Collection and preservation of varieties and breeding of ornamental plants of Estonian origin.
- Preservation of medicinal and aromatic plant species in ex situ collections and their study in collaboration with the UT Institute of Pharmacy.
- Phenotypic characterisation of varieties and assessment of disease resistance.
- Coordination of cooperation between plant breeders and holders of private collections, inventarisation of private collections.
- Evaluation and characterisation of new promising varieties and dissemination.
- Presentation and promotion of local varieties.
MTÜ MAADJAS
The activities of NGO Maadjas include the preservation of indigenous domestic animals and plants in Estonia, their promotion, protection and demonstration.
Main activities:
- Organising training and disseminating information.
- Organising support and charity campaigns.
- Establishment and replenishment of the database of the indigenous domestic animals and plants.
- Mediation of domestic animals, seeds and plants.
- Joint activities with similar organisations in Estonia and other countries.
The activities of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture aim to create the conditions for the sustainable and comprehensive development of the Estonian rural, agricultural and fisheries economy, to ensure safe and proper feed, good animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection.
The Ministry coordinates the programme for the collection and conservation of plant genetic resources of agriculture in 2021-2027.
The programme creates preconditions for the collection, conservation and use of genetic resources of local origin of agricultural crops.
The programme contributes to the achievement of the objectives of the “Agriculture and Fisheries Development Plan 2030”.