Proactive management approach of seed PGRFA conservation during the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Indonesia

Abstract

Conserving agricultural genetic resources (AGR) is one of state commitment to support food security and sustainable agricultural system. The pandemic of COVID-19 forced Indonesia government to issued policies which resulting on significant reduction in operational costs in AGR conservation and limitation of activities. This paper describes the proactive approach taken in IAARD-ICABIOGRAD Gene Bank to maintain the sustainability of AGR conservation during the pandemic situation. Several measures were taken including laying off some contract staff, reducing working hours, delaying plantation schedule, relocation plantation site, and optimizing on seed monitoring. The delay in plantation schedule and relocation of planting site caused of less optimal of yield in soybean and mung bean regeneration and crop failure of some accessions in rice. The lack of resources caused several activities cannot be performed. Delay of seed processing increase seed damage and inadequate rogueing during seed production cause disruption of genetic integrity of rice accessions. The optimization on seed monitoring resulted in the safely regenerated of a total of 112 rice accessions and 149 soybean accessions with very low viability. Adequate support is needed for further gene bank operational to resume the incomplete activities, to set back genetic integrity, and to set better management system. © 2022 Author(s).