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The conservation of plant genetic resources (PGR) forms the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, food, and nutritional security. Seed, being a compact, stable, and easily storable biological entity, provides the most cost-effective means for ex situ conservation. Early in the 20th century, N.I. Vavilov emphasized the systematic collection and preservation of crop diversity, laying the foundation of global genebank systems. This article reviews the legacy, infrastructure, collections, and contributions of the Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), St. Petersburg, one of the world’s oldest and most comprehensive repositories of cultivated plants and their wild relatives. Its scientific frameworks, operational scale, and continuing role in breeding and policy are discussed, with emphasis on its enduring relevance for contemporary seed science and conservation.
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Ukhatova et al. (2026) studied this question.