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The 2020 Index Seminum of the Botanical Garden and the richness of biological diversity

22.01.2020

The 2020 Index Seminum of the University of Padua’s Botanical Garden is now available online. The Index Seminum is a catalogue of seeds and spores made available by the Garden to other similar institutions. The Botanical Gardens periodically publishes this catalogue, including both the seeds of the plants grown inside the Garden itself and seeds found spontaneously in the natural environment.

The catalogue is used internationally for the exchange of seeds with other institutions for scientific, educational, and nature conservation purposes. The Botanical Garden has been sharing its catalogue since ancient times and is regulated by a code of conduct in accordance with the Rio de Janeiro Convention on Biological Diversity. Among the main objectives of the Convention is the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits deriving from the use of genetic resources. 

There are several constraints on the use of these catalogues due to the numerous regulation put into place by the Convention.  The exchange of seed can only take place between public institutions for the sole purpose of reproduction, conservation, education and research.  It is highly forbidden to exchange seed for personal use, commercial purposes, or for profit.

The Index Seminum is able to exchange seeds between orchards and botanical gardens internationally thanks to the meticulous maintenance of the collections of cultivated plants and the conservation of biodiversity within the Botanical Garden.  Guaranteeing the diffusion of the species through the exchange of seeds ensures the preservation of seeds, especially the stock of rare or endangered species.

The Botanical Garden of the University of Padua makes its biennial Index Seminum available and is among the oldest institutions to have taken on this mission, testifying to its persistent commitment in supporting the conservation of biodiversity.