Genetic resources

The pome fruit Genetic Resources Center (CRG pome fruits) has for vocation to maintain, manage, characterize and valorize traditional and scientific genetic resources of apple, pear, quince and related species.

This activity is centered on the national collection involving many actors (NGOs, local genetic collections, research and experimental centers, nurserymen) and INRAE collections (old and recent varieties, rootstock, botanical species); each of them are evolving and are constantly increased. Since 2018, a cryobank for long term conservation using sleeping buds has been set up (frozen buds in vapor nitrogen phase at -180°C)

A collection constituted of scientific interest accessions is maintained in vitro (for example haploids).

The genetic resources are characterized and checked for their true-to the-typeness by morphological, phonological and organoleptic traits but also by molecular markers. The genetic resources are spread for patrimonial, educational and scientific purposes in or outside INRAE. INRAE valorizes these genetic resources to enlarge the genetic basis of the breeding programmes. They are also used in new association genetics studies, particularly in the frame of the EU-FruitBreedomics project.