Development of a conceptual apparatus in the field of establishment, formation, conservation, development, studying, and utilization of plant genetic resources collections

In 2024, the Federal Law “On Bioresource Centers and Biological (Bioresource) Collections and on Amendments to Article 29 of the Federal Law “On the Animal World” (No. 428-FZ of November 30, 2024) was adopted. It legally defined the concepts of the biological (bioresource) collection, bioresource center, and national collection of highly valuable accessions of genetic resources at the national level. The Law’s conceptual apparatus comprised 21 clauses. We hereby propose to expand the conceptual apparatus in the area of the establishment, formation, conservation, development, studying, and utilization of plant genetic resource collections (one of the types of collections specified in Article 13 of the Law). Some of the proposed definitions are universal and suitable for other types of collections. The conceptual apparatus was based on the experience with the VIR collection (the oldest collection of genetic resources in the world) and, as part of further promoting those activities, on the management of the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources, instituted within VIR’s premises by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 2022. This article substantiates the proposed conceptual apparatus and supports it with illustrative examples. A special emphasis is placed on the clarification of concepts related to the value of accessions and the importance of structuring the collection to effectively meet current scientific, technological, and/or educational needs.