Genetic Resources
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Germplasm collections
Major crops in IITA genebank
IITA’s genebank holds over 28 000 accessions of major food crops of Africa, namely cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), cassava (Manihot esculenta), yam (Dioscorea sp.), soybean (Glycine max), bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), maize (Zea mays), and plantain and banana (Musa sp.) (See table below for details). In addition, substantial Vigna wild relatives and miscellaneous legumes collections have been collected over the past 30 years and more recently a small collection of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), an under-used legume.
| Common name | Latin name | Accessions maintained | ||
| Seed crops | Total no. | No. in trust | ||
Cowpea | Niébé | Vigna unguiculata L. | 15115 | 15003 |
Maize | Maïs | Zea mays L. | 880 | 0 |
Soybean | Soja | Glycine max (L.) Merr | 1742 | 1742 |
Bambara ground nut | Pois Bambara | Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc | 1815 | 1815 |
Wild Vigna | Vigna | 1507 | 1507 | |
African yam bean | Haricot Igname | Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms | 66 | 66 |
Miscellaneous legumes | Psophocarpus tetragonolobus Cajanus cajun Lablab purpureus Phaseolus lunatus Canavalia species Vigna radiata Vigna mungo | 600+ | 0 | |
| Clonal crops | ||||
Cassava | Manioc | Manihot esculenta Crantz | 2712 | 2078 |
Yam | Igname | Dioscorea abysinnica, D. alata, D. bulbifera, D. cayenensis, D. dumentorum, D. esculenta, D. manganotiana, D. Preusii, D. rotundata | 3200 | 3087 |
Banana/Plantain | Banane Plantain | Musa acuminata, M. balbisiana, M. schizocarpa, M. basjoo, M. laterita, M. peekeli | 250 | 0 |
Select and Order Germplasm
Ordering germplasm
- Select Germplasm using IITA Accessions 2
- Provide a summary of the intended use of germplasm.
- Accept STANDARD Material transfer agreement.
Germplasm transfer involves SMTA (Standard Material Transfer Agreement [Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish] and annex 1 list).
| Crop | Agreement |
| Cowpea | SMTA |
| Maize | SMTA |
| Soybean | MTA |
| Bambara groundnut | SMTA |
| Wild Vigna | SMTA |
| Africa yam bean | MTA |
Miscellaneous legumes (Main collections) | Depends on species |
| Cassava | SMTA |
| Manihot esculenta Crantz | |
| Yam | SMTA |
| Banana/Plantain | SMTA |
Upon receiving confirmation that you agree with the term of the transfer, a hard copy of this agreement will be included in the seed pack you will receive. Opening this pack will confirm you agree with the terms of the transfer (shrink wrap agreement).
4. Provide official documents stipulating import permit and phytosanitary certificate requirements to import selected germplasm to the importing country.
This document must be issued or endorsed by the Plant Quarantine and Protection Services of the receiving country. Depending on stock and importing country phytosanitary requirements, distribution may take from 2 to 16 months (time to regenerate stock and/or perform sanitation).
For additional information please contact genebank (click here)
