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The Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) maintains
more than 17,000 forage and turf grass accessions. The majority of these are self-incompatible,
wind-pollinated species with high levels of genetic heterogeneity. Germplasm accessions received
at WRPIS require an initial seed increase before the quantity and quality of the seed is adequate
for storage and distribution to researchers. After the initial stock of regenerated seed is depleted,
the regeneration sample must be used to replenish seed stocks. In the past, plants were grown and
seeds were harvested in bulk. When the bulk harvested seeds were depleted, a new regeneration cycle
would take place. Although appearing innocuous, this form of sampling can lead to a quick and
quantitative reduction in genetic variation due to differential fecundity. A sampling plan was
developed to combat this loss of genetic variation. This talk will focus on the development of
the sampling plan and its effectiveness in reducing the loss of genetic variation in plant regeneration.
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