Conservation, propagation and new paths for pineapple genetic resources

The Embrapa Cassava and Fruits research unit (Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura) maintains in its experimental fields a pineapple active germplasm bank (AGB Pineapple) with 700 accessions of the genus Ananas. In recent years, several of these accessions, of all botanical varieties, have been lost as a result of infection by the Pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus complex (PMWaV). Because of this threat, the establishment of security duplicates is a priority for the managers of AGB Pineapple, to minimize losses in the field as well as to increase the efficiency of preservation. Two strategies to preserve this germplasm have been used in recent years: in vitro conservation and cryopreservation. This work will cover the limitations of the two techniques and in particular the advances achieved, and proposals being analysed for better conservation of this important germplasm. It will also cover the efficiency of propagation techniques, the precautions that need to be considered and their convergence with preservation and genetic improvement of pineapple species. Finally, the creation of a global collaborative structure for genetic resources of the genus Ananas will be discussed, for the purpose of assuring their conservation by different strategies, based on cooperation, to facilitate use of the conservation methods by researchers in several countries.