Sorry I missed this post when it came out. Thomas just directed my attention to it via e-mail. Here are my thoughts about this project :
- the idea is great. building science-based grexes (as opposed to grexes based on spontaneous contributions or random findings, or methodic screening of the market) This would give a powerfull juspstart to a series of landraces adventures.
- one assumption is that studies do exist, studies that screen the genetics of a species and identify where the genetic diversity is concentrated / represented. I personally don’t know how many of such studies exist, for what plants, nor where to find them. But I could read them.
- one assumption is that the accessions can be obtained from the genebanks. My experience is that this is a reasonable assumption (at least in France, but I suspect all europe, if not worldwide). I have been confirmed this year by such genebank that their mission is to make the material available to professional AND non-professional public. So once the genetic study exists, it is highly probable that we could obtain the material. because the study will mention where the accessions are conserved.
- my experience is that the samples that are send by the genebanks are small (20-50 grams per accession, if not less than that) so our network would need to have some reliable gardeners able to run the first year of test / multiplication. I am still learning and my failure rate is still too high for me to feel comfortable to risk the loss of such a precious mix , except in some few crops that I have run 3 seasons. (fava, common beans, millet, wheat, blackwheat) .
- my understanding is that the legal aspects of SMTA’S are OK. The protocol should include a return to the genebank of a sample of the landrace created , after say 2 or 3 years, made available to the gene networks for further studies. It seems ok to me that the grex/landrace should be somewhat tracked over time, so that we know what happens with it. So some paperwork is acceptable, to my opinion.
Process suggestion : we would need to find a study , then based on this existing study identify a reliable gardener volunteer to host the first cycle, and then contact the genebank (because they like to know who and where the accessions will be cultivated)
I would be very happy to participate in this adventure.