Effective seedbank management to ensure food security and preserve biodiversity

Abstract The future of biodiversity maintenance and crop security faces significant threats due to climate instability. Ex situ seed banks can serve as refuges for major crop varieties and their wild relatives in catastrophic situations. However, managing these repositories requires regular quality control to ensure the viability of preserved samples for future regeneration. In this opinion, we have identified significant challenges in traditional seed bank management, including difficulties in scheduling seed viability tests for a diverse collection and the burden of replenishing depleted stored samples. We have also examined the advantages and disadvantages of different seed viability tests used in long-term seed repositories for ex situ biodiversity conservation. While the ultimate goal of seed conservation is to achieve non-destructive methods of viability estimation, the additional predictive potential of such tests can revolutionize traditional management practices. Timely replenishment of decaying seeds can ensure sustainable genomic storage and positively impact agricultural legacy and genetic diversity preservation. This opinion provides an open platform to review current management practices and explore alternative and efficient ways to secure the ‘ultimate repository’ of agricultural legacy and genetic diversity.