Introduction

The quantity and complexity of the information acquired by the Plant Genetic Resources Centre/Ethiopia (PGRC/E) through active collecting, donation and repatriation of germplasm require comprehensive and efficient data management systems. Plant genetic resources can only be successfully utilized if detailed and reliable data on each accession are available to genebank users, breeders, research workers and policy makers.

In 1979, a proposal was made to base such a documentation system on edge-punched cards (Engels, 1979) and this manual system was used until 1982, by which time the amount of data had reached such proportions that the system was overcharged and it became necessary to computerize the documentation activities (Engels, 1985).

At present the documentation system at PGRC/E is based on electronic data processing technology and this has greatly facilitated the handling of the enormous amount of data currently being generated at the centre.

Information sources and descriptor development

The major sources of information in PGRC/E are:

1. – exploration and collection;

2. – germplasm introduction and accessioning;

3. – temporary storage (at +4°C and 30–40 per cent RH);

4. – field genebanks;

5. – multiplication and rejuvenation;

6. – characterization and preliminary evaluation (in field and laboratory);

7. – seed processing;

8. – seed testing;

9. – seed storage (base and active collection at –10 °C);

10. – germplasm flow;

11. – further evaluation;

12. – utilization;

13. – miscellaneous activities.

Further details are presented in Table 1 and can also be found elsewhere in this volume (Chapters 14, 16, 19).