ELGO DIMITRA, Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Recourses

The Hellenic Agricultural Organization – DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA) is the primary non-profit research, innovation, education, and certification body for the agricultural and food sector in Greece. Supervised by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, its core mission is to promote the modernization, competitiveness, and sustainability of Greek agriculture.

The organization operates across three main pillars: Research and Innovation, Vocational Education and Training, and Certification/Quality Control. Its vast research network comprises 11 specialized Research Institutes located throughout Greece.

Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources (IPB&GR)

The Institute of Plant Breeding and Genetic Resources (IPB&GR), based in Thermi, Thessaloniki, is one of the most prominent institutes within ELGO-DEMETER. It focuses on the complete life cycle of crop development and conservation.

Core Focus and Activities:

• Genetic Improvement: The primary objective is the development of new cultivars across a wide range of crops (cereals, tobacco, cotton, horticultural, aromatic, floricultural, and fruit trees). This breeding targets traits such as:

  • Improved yield and quality (e.g., high nutritional value).

  • Enhanced resistance to abiotic stresses (like drought and cold) and biotic stresses (pests and diseases).

  • Adaptation to climate change.

• Research Areas: IPB&GR conducts extensive research using both classical breeding methods and modern biotechnology (including molecular markers and 'omics' approaches) in state-of-the-art laboratories and greenhouse facilities.

• Knowledge Transfer: The institute works to produce and transfer knowledge to farmers and the agri-food chain to support integrated crop production and the solution of modern agricultural problems.

The Greek Genebank

Integral to the IPB&GR is the Greek Genebank (GGB), which serves as the national repository for the conservation of the country's plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA).

Mission and Collections:

• Conservation: The GGB is responsible for the ex situ conservation (outside the natural environment) of Greek plant germplasm. Its collections exceed 15,000 samples of various plant genetic resources, which are crucial for food and agriculture.

• Collection Focus: The majority of the collection includes Greek landraces (traditional varieties developed by farmers) and **crop wild relatives (CWR)**—wild species genetically related to crops. The collections are conserved primarily as seeds in specialized cold-storage facilities.

• Key Activities:

  • Collection and Regeneration: Organizing expeditions to collect endangered landraces and wild relatives, and ensuring the health and viability of stored seeds through regeneration.

  • Characterization and Evaluation: Utilizing morphometric, agronomic, physiological, and molecular methods to characterize and evaluate the genetic resources. This information is critical for breeders to select material for developing new, resilient crop varieties.

  • Documentation and Exchange: Maintaining a comprehensive database of the resources and facilitating the exchange of genetic material with other genebanks and research foundations globally.

  • National Role: The GGB represents Greece in international networks and agreements concerning the protection and utilization of PGRFA, such as the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR).

The combination of the IPB&GR’s advanced breeding programs and the GGB’s conservation efforts positions ELGO-DEMETER as a crucial institution for safeguarding and utilizing the biological diversity necessary for the future of Greek and Mediterranean agriculture.