July 20, 2026
 

20 July 2026.- The Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), in collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, is inviting experts worldwide to participate in a consultation process aimed at developing a strategic set of key characterization and evaluation descriptors for oats (Avena spp.).

This activity forms part of the Programme of Work of the Global Information System (GLIS) and contributes to ongoing efforts to improve the documentation, management and use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The activity is being implemented with the financial support of the Government of Canada through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The Governing Body has repeatedly encouraged the development and updating of crop descriptors as practical tools to support the conservation, documentation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources. The current initiative seeks to identify an initial, minimal set of highly discriminating descriptors that will facilitate the identification and utilization of oat genetic resources by researchers, breeders, genebank curators and other users.

The consultation focuses on selecting descriptors that are practical to apply and relevant for germplasm utilization. Rather than creating an exhaustive documentation system, the objective is to develop a user-friendly tool that can be progressively expanded as additional knowledge and data become available.

Experts working with oat genetic resources are invited to review the draft descriptors and provide comments through an online survey. Contributions received will help ensure that the proposed descriptors reflect current scientific knowledge and user needs. Individuals providing feedback will be acknowledged in the final publication.

The survey is available in English and can be completed in approximately 15 minutes through the following link:

Access the oat descriptors survey

The deadline for submitting comments is 8 September 2026.

Experts are also encouraged to share the survey with colleagues and institutions involved in the conservation, characterization, evaluation and use of oat genetic resources.

For further information, please contact: PGRFA-Treaty@fao.org  

About the ITPGRFA

The International Treaty, established by FAO in 2001, provides a legally binding framework for the exchange, conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of plant genetic resources. It aims to enhance global food security while supporting farmers and researchers in their critical role as custodians of agrobiodiversity, and calls for the protection and promotion of Farmers’ Rights, including local and indigenous communities who have managed this crop diversity over millennia. The Treaty currently has 155 Contracting Parties, including the European Union, and will grow to 156 when Ukraine’s membership takes effect later this summer.

About the ECPGR Avena Working Group

The development of the oat descriptors benefits from the expertise and collaboration fostered through the ECPGR Avena Working Group, which brings together specialists from across Europe to support the conservation, documentation and sustainable use of Avena genetic resources.

Website: http://www.fao.org

Published: July 20, 2026