Duplication within and between germplasm collections. III. A quantitative model

Abstract

Estimating the level of duplication of germpIasm accessions within and between genebanks is of high importance for judging the coverage as well as the efficiency of ex situ conservation efforts. Therefore, a method was developed to quantify probable duplication within and between genebanks. To estimate total internal duplication, the fraction of distinct accessions was determined in a sample from the collection. To estimate the duplication between collections, set theory was used. Again based on samples from the collections involved, the size of any intersection between these collections can be estimated. Standard errors of all estimates were calculated as well. To illustrate the feasibility of the method, an example involving four lettuce collections is given.