Page 21 - Science Trip to IITA Special Edition

VISIT TO IITA
LABORATORIES

Seed Conservation

eed conservation at the International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Abuja
S protects the crops that Africa depends
on. At the Genetic Resources Centre, scientists
collect, clean, and store seeds from key
crops such as maize, cowpea, soybean, and Crops that cannot be
Bambara groundnut. Each seed lot is tested
for quality, dried, and sealed before storage. stored as seeds, such
as cassava and yam,
Seeds are kept in controlled rooms at about
5°C for medium-term preservation and are preserved through
as low as minus 20°C for long-term safety. tissue culture.
These low temperatures help maintain seed
viability for many years. Crops that cannot
be stored as seeds, such as cassava and
yam, are preserved through tissue culture.

This work safeguards plant diversity, supports
research, and ensures that future plant
breeders and farmers have strong, resilient
varieties to rely on in a changing climate.

THE REGENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 21