Facilities of Lao National Genebank

Nearly three-quarters of the accessions conserved are rice, almost exclusively landraces or farmers’ varieties. The genebank also holds a significant collection of eggplant, sorghum and millets, cucumber, common and yard-long beans, and spinach.

Seed samples at the main genebank are stored in freezers and −20° C for long-term storage and at between 5° C and 10° C for medium-term storage. The seed is kept in a variety of containers, including foil packets, paper bags and envelopes, plastic Ziplock bags and screw-top glass jars.

Taro, yam, sweetpotato, turmeric, ginger and wild sugarcane in field genebanks are grown in large concrete tubs, while cassava is grown in open field plots.