Wellhausen-Anderson Genetic Resources Collections
CIMMYT manages diverse collections of maize and wheat.
The wheat collection numbers about 150,000 accessions from more than 100 countries, and consists of bread wheat, durum wheat and triticale landraces, cultivars, genetic stocks, breeders’ materials and wild relatives. The maize collection of 28,000 accessions includes the world’s largest collection of maize landraces, created and maintained by farmers over many generations, as well as wild teosinte and Tripsacum wild relatives of maize.
CIMMYT is actively assessing the diversity of the maize and wheat seed collections using genomics technologies. Developing links between accession data and data from breeders are another focus of work. The genebank has been a pioneer in using GRIN-Global and in establishing a QMS. Several operations are certified to ISO 9001:2008 standard.
The Seed Health Unit ensures that all seed conserved in the genebank, as well as any seed imported to or exported from any of CIMMYT’s research locations, meets international phytosanitary standards. The Seed Health Unit has attained ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Useful information
Genetic Resources Program director: Kevin Pixley
Maize germplasm bank manager: Denise Costich
Wheat germplasm bank manager: Tom Payne
Seed health laboratory manager: Monica Mezzalama
External links
Key performance indicators of CGIAR genebanks, 2012-2021
HINT: Use the search key to filter the data. For descriptions of performance indicators, click here.| Crop | Indicator | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maize | 1. Total number of accessions | 27,820 | 28,067 | 28,316 | 28,339 | 28,446 | 28,494 | 28,746 | 28,677 | 28,694 |
| Maize | 2. Total number of accessions that are currently available | 14,848 | 18,866 | 17,551 | 18,887 | 17,470 | 18,055 | 17,676 | 17,904 | 17,832 |
| Maize | 3. Number of seed accessions | 27,820 | 28,067 | 28,316 | 28,339 | 28,333 | 28,494 | 28,746 | 28,677 | 28,694 |
| Maize | 4. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Maize | 5. Number of live plant accessions | 161 | 161 | 161 | 146 | 113 | 161 | 161 | 161 | |
| Maize | 6. Number of seed accessions held in long-term storage and safety duplicated at two levels | 8,334 | 8,334 | 8,334 | 24,575 | 21,465 | 21,465 | 21,454 | 21,555 | 21,588 |
| Maize | 7. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions in cryopreservation or safety duplicated as in vitro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Maize | 8. Number of wild species accessions | 209 | 241 | 267 | 176 | 176 | ||||
| Wheat | 1. Total number of accessions | 147,706 | 149,764 | 152,835 | 154,744 | 154,476 | 155,325 | 155,325 | 159,568 | 170,020 |
| Wheat | 2. Total number of accessions that are currently available | 117,533 | 128,797 | 131,438 | 139,086 | 140,331 | 141,345 | 127,649 | 105,291 | 113,418 |
| Wheat | 3. Number of seed accessions | 147,706 | 149,764 | 152,835 | 154,744 | 154,476 | 155,325 | 155,325 | 159,568 | 170,020 |
| Wheat | 4. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheat | 5. Number of live plant accessions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Wheat | 6. Number of seed accessions held in long-term storage and safety duplicated at two levels | 74,596 | 91,103 | 91,103 | 91,103 | 125,011 | 125,011 | 125,011 | 115,434 | 117,487 |
| Wheat | 7. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions in cryopreservation or safety duplicated as in vitro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheat | 8. Number of wild species accessions | 7,241 | 6,374 | 3,192 | 2,930 | 6,156 |
Genebank operations, 2012-2021
HINT: Use the search key to filter the data| Crop | Indicator | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maize | 1. Number of accessions with passport & characterization data available | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 32,217 | 32,243 | 32,278 |
| Maize | 2. Number accessions received | 0 | 712 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 389 | 0 | 12 | |
| Maize | 3. Number accessions regenerated | 191 | 279 | 210 | 78 | 187 | 265 | 82 | 71 | 5 | 516 |
| Maize | 4. Number accessions multiplied | 1,591 | 1,056 | 1,292 | 694 | 530 | 254 | 316 | 440 | 496 | 280 |
| Maize | 5. Number accessions health tested | 1,982 | 2,538 | 962 | 2,499 | 1,645 | 1,354 | 2,681 | 1,615 | 1,167 | 454 |
| Maize | 6. Number accessions cleaned | 4 | 114 | 48 | 144 | 1,439 | 128 | 0 | 60 | 116 | 48 |
| Maize | 7. Number accessions viability tested | 734 | 1,290 | 1,037 | 1,440 | 881 | 1,299 | 2,014 | 2,671 | 1,912 | 2,206 |
| Wheat | 1. Number of accessions with passport & characterization data available | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 142,283 | 146,505 | 146,976 |
| Wheat | 2. Number accessions received | 2,142 | 5,526 | 2,058 | 3,071 | 1,909 | 3,317 | 1,163 | 1,036 | 1,182 | 1,482 |
| Wheat | 3. Number accessions regenerated | 6,852 | 4,927 | 10,947 | 5,467 | 5,109 | 1,289 | 3,720 | 955 | 0 | |
| Wheat | 4. Number accessions multiplied | 8,000 | 7,420 | 2,389 | 1,073 | 2,539 | 7,380 | 1,869 | 3,047 | 105 | 1,105 |
| Wheat | 5. Number accessions health tested | 18,688 | 16,179 | 11,873 | 7,096 | 16,116 | 1,607 | 15,178 | 17,798 | 17,955 | 9,821 |
| Wheat | 6. Number accessions cleaned | 233 | 3,706 | 1,116 | 750 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Wheat | 7. Number accessions viability tested | 6,562 | 11,790 | 13,527 | 9,667 | 8,459 | 11,776 | 6,600 | 6,418 | 1,319 | 3,781 |
Number of samples distributed to users within and outside the CGIAR, 2012-2021
HINT: Use the search key to filter the data. For descriptions of performance indicators, click here.| Crop | Indicator | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All crops | 1. Total number external germplasm requests | 204 | 245 | 195 | 245 | 161 | 297 | 306 | 159 | 203 |
| Maize | 2. Number of samples distributed within the CGIAR | 2,695 | 7,341 | 2,160 | 1,570 | 1,485 | 1,482 | 1,564 | 1,308 | 657 |
| Maize | 3. Number of samples distributed outside the CGIAR | 2,587 | 5,005 | 3,006 | 5,769 | 4,902 | 8,899 | 6,684 | 3,781 | 3,778 |
| Maize | 4. Total number of samples distributed | 5,282 | 12,346 | 5,166 | 7,339 | 6,387 | 10,381 | 8,248 | 5,089 | 4,435 |
| Maize | 5. Number of accessions distributed within the CGIAR | 1,391 | 5,267 | 2,046 | 1,265 | 1,269 | 1,065 | 1,460 | 1,248 | 610 |
| Maize | 6. Number of accessions distributed outside the CGIAR | 870 | 1,540 | 1,628 | 3,713 | 4,902 | 8,899 | 6,684 | 3,576 | 3,347 |
| Maize | 7. Total number of accessions distributed | 2,261 | 6,807 | 3,674 | 4,978 | 6,171 | 9,964 | 8,144 | 4,824 | 3,957 |
| Maize | 8. Total number of accessions distributed outside the CGIAR with SMTA | 8,899 | 6,684 | 3,576 | 3,347 | |||||
| Maize | 9. Total number of unique accessions distributed outside the CGIAR with SMTA | 2,666 | 4,689 | 3,194 | 2,199 | 1,492 | ||||
| Wheat | 2. Number of samples distributed within the CGIAR | 36,454 | 4,273 | 3,466 | 10,505 | 7,381 | 4,509 | 7,398 | 2,009 | 3,910 |
| Wheat | 3. Number of samples distributed outside the CGIAR | 12,109 | 2,533 | 4,364 | 3,727 | 4,803 | 5,109 | 3,859 | 3,219 | 2,426 |
| Wheat | 4. Total number of samples distributed | 48,563 | 6,806 | 7,830 | 14,232 | 12,184 | 9,618 | 11,257 | 5,228 | 6,336 |
| Wheat | 5. Number of accessions distributed within the CGIAR | 30,156 | 3,717 | 3,386 | 10,004 | 6,846 | 4,208 | 7,277 | 1,792 | 3,512 |
| Wheat | 6. Number of accessions distributed outside the CGIAR | 10,003 | 1,970 | 3,709 | 3,244 | 4,803 | 4,722 | 3,637 | 3,197 | 2,419 |
| Wheat | 7. Total number of accessions distributed | 40,159 | 5,687 | 7,095 | 13,248 | 11,649 | 8,930 | 10,914 | 4,989 | 5,931 |
| Wheat | 8. Total number of accessions distributed outside the CGIAR with SMTA | 4,722 | 3,637 | 3,197 | 2,419 | |||||
| Wheat | 9. Total number of unique accessions distributed outside the CGIAR with SMTA | 4,294 | 4,661 | 2,903 | 2,042 |
Genebank Platform publications, 2017-2020
Recent publications with at least one CGIAR genebank staff as author. HINT: Use the search key to filter the data.| Authors | Article title | Publication name | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crespo-Herrera, L.A., Crossa, J., Huerta-Espino, J., Vargas, M., Mondal, S., Velu, G., Payne, T.S., Braun, H.J., Singh, R.P. | Genetic gains for grain yield in CIMMYT’s semi-arid wheat yield trials grown in suboptimal environments. | Crop Science | READ |
| Sukhwinder-Singh Vikram, P., Sehgal, D., Burgueño, J., Sharma, A., Singh, S.K., Sansaloni, C.P., Joynson, R., Brabbs, T., Ortiz, C., Solís Moya, E., Velu, G., Gupta, N., Sidhu, H.S., Ashwani K. Basandrai, Basandrai, D., Ledesma-Ramires, L., Suaste-Franco, M.P., Fuentes Dávila, G., Ireta Moreno, J., Sonder, Kai, Vaibhav K. Singh, Singh, S., Sajid Shokat, Mian A.R. Arif, Khalil A. Laghari, Puja Srivastava, Bhavani, S., Satish Kumar, Dharam Pal, Jaiswal, J.P., Kumar, U., Harinder K. Chaudhary, Crossa, J., Payne, T.S., Imtiaz, M., Sohu, V.S., Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Bains, N., Hall, A.J.W., Pixley, K.V.. | Harnessing genetic potential of wheat germplasm banks through impact-oriented-prebreeding for future food and nutritional security. | Scientific Reports | READ |
| Morgounov, A.I.,Abugalieva, A.I.,Akan, K.,Akın, B.,Baenziger, S.,Bhatta, M.R.,Dababat, A.A.,Demir, L.,Dutbayev, Y.,Moustapha El Bouhssini,Erginbas-Orakci, G., Kishii, M.,Keser, M., Koc, E., Kurespek, A., Mujeeb-Kazi, A., Yorgancılar, A., Ozdemir, F., Ozturk, I., Payne, T.S., Qadimaliyeva, G., Shamanin, V., Subasi, K., Suleymanova, G., Yakisir, E., Zelenskiy, Y. | High-yielding winter synthetic hexaploid wheats resistant to multiple diseases and pest. | Plant Genetic Resources | READ |
| Kumar, J., Saripalli, G., Gahlaut, V. et al. | Genetics of Fe, Zn, β-carotene, GPC and yield traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using multi-locus and multi-traits GWAS. | Euphytica | READ |
| Humberto Reyes-Valdes, M., Burgueno, J., Singh, S., Martinez, O., Paola Sansaloni, C. | An informational view of accession rarity and allele specificity in germplasm banks for management and conservation. | PLoS ONE | READ |
| Gordon, E., Kaviani, M., Kagale, S., Payne, T., Navabi, A. | Genetic diversity and population structure of synthetic hexaploid-derived wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accessions. | Genet Resour Crop Evol (2018). | READ |
| Contreras-Toledo, A. R., M. A. Cortés-Cruz, D. Costich, M. de Lourdes Rico-Arce, J. M. Brehm, and N. Maxted. | A crop wild relative inventory for Mexico. | Crop Science | READ |
| Reynolds, M.P.,Pask, A., Hoppitt, W.J.E., Sonder, K., Sukumaran, S., Molero, G., Saint Pierre, C.,Payne, T.S., Singh, R.P., Braun, H.J., Gonzalez, F.G., Terrile, I.I., Barma, N.C.D, Abdul Hakim, M., He Zhonghu, Zheru Fan, Novoselovic, D., Maghraby, M., Gad, K.I.M., Galal, E.G., Hagras, A., Mohamed M. Mohamed, Morad, A.F.A., Kumar, U., Gyanendra Pratap Singh, Naik, R., Kalappanavar, I.K., Biradar, S., Prasad, S.V.S., Chatrath, R., Sharma, I., Panchabhai, K., Sohu, V.S., Gurvinder Singh Mavi, Vinod Kumar Mishra, Balasubramaniam, A., Jalal Kamali, M.R., Khodarahmi, M., Dastfal, M., Tabib Ghaffary, S.M., Jafarby, J., Nikzad, A.R., Moghaddam, H.A., Hassan Ghojogh, Mehraban, A., Solís Moya, E., Camacho Casas, M.A., Figueroa López, P., Ireta Moreno, J., Alvarado Padilla, J.I., Borbón Gracia, A., Torres, A., Quiche, YN., Upadhyay, S.R., Pandey, D., Imtiaz, M., Rehman, M.U., Hussain, M., Hussain, M., Ud-din, R., Qamar, M., Muhammad Kundi, Mujahid, M.Y., Ahmad, G., Khan, A.J., Mehboob Ali Sial, Mustatea, P., Well, E. von, Ncala, M., Groot, S. de, H. | Strategic crossing of biomass and harvest index—source and sink—achieves genetic gains in wheat. | Euphytica | READ |
| McLean R., F.D.; Camacho Villa, T.C.; Almekinders, C.; Pè, M.E.; Dell'Acqua, M.; Costich, D.E. | The abandonment of maize landraces over the last 50 years in Morelos, Mexico: a tracing study using a multi-level perspective. | Agriculture and Human Values | READ |
| Jing Li; Gou-Bo Chen; Rasheed, A.; Delin Li; Sonder, K.; Zavala Espinosa, C.; Jiankang Wang; Costich, D.E.; Schnable, P.S.; Hearne, S.; Huihui Li. | Identifying loci with breeding potential across temperate and tropical adaptation via EigenGWAS and EnvGWAS. | Molecular Ecology | READ |
| Aremi R. Contreras-Toledo, Moisés Cortés-Cruz, Denise E. Costich, Ma. de Lourdes Rico-Arce, Joana Magos Brehm and Nigel Maxted | Diversity and conservation priorities of crop wild relatives in Mexico | Plant Genetic Resources | READ |
| Velu, G.; Crespo Herrera, L. A.; Guzman, C.; Huerta-Espino, J.; Payne, T.; Singh, R.P. | Assessing genetic diversity to breed competitive biofortified wheat with enhanced grain ZN and FE concentrations | Frontiers in plant science | READ |
| Morgounov, A.I.; Ozdemir, F.; Keser, M.; Akin, B.; Payne, T.S.; Braun, H.J. | International Winter Wheat Improvement Program: history, activities, impact and future. 2019. | Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering | READ |
| Rosyara, U.R.; Kishii, M; Payne, T.S.; Sansaloni, C.P.; Singh, R.P.; Braun, H.J.; Dreisigacker, S. | Genetic contribution of synthetic hexaploid wheat to CIMMYT’s spring bread wheat breeding germplasm. | Scientific Reports | READ |
| Emily Gordon . Mina Kaviani . Sateesh Kagale . Thomas Payne . Alireza Navabi | Genetic diversity and population structure of synthetic hexaploid-derived wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accessions | Genet Resour Crop Evol | READ |
| Nayelli Hernández-Espinosa, Thomas Payne, Julio Huerta-Espino, Fausto Cervantes, Héctor Gonzalez-Santoyo, Karim Ammar, Carlos Guzmán | Preliminary characterization for grain quality traits and high and low molecular weight glutenins subunits composition of durum wheat landraces from Iran and Mexico | Journal of Cereal Science | READ |
| M. Gianella, A. Balestrazzi, A. Pagano, J. V.Muller, A. C. Kyratzis, D. Kikodze, M. Canella, A. Mondoni, G. Rossi & F. Guzzon | Heteromorphic seeds of wheat wild relatives show germination niche differentiation | Plant Biology | READ |
| Acevedo, M.; Pixley, K.V.; Zinyengere, N.; Meng, S.; Tufan, H.A.; Cichy, K.; Bizikova, L.; Isaacs, K.; Ghezzi-Kopel, K.; Porciello, J. | A scoping review of adoption of climate-resilient crops by small-scale producers in low- and middle-income countries | Nature Plants | READ |
| Ocampo-Giraldo, V.; Camacho Villa, T.C. ; Costich, D.E. ; Vidal Martinez, A. ; Smale, M. ; Jamora, N. | Dynamic conservation of genetic resources : rematriation of the maize landrace Jala | Food Security | READ |
| Guzzon, F.; Bello, P. ; Bradford, K.J. ; Mérida Guzman, M.A. ; Costich, D.E. | Enhancing seed conservation in rural communities of Guatemala by implementing the dry chain concept | Biodiversity and Conservation | READ |
| Abbasov, M.; Sansaloni, C.P. ; Burgueño, J. ; Petroli, C.D. ; Akparov, Z. ; Aminov, N. ; Babayeva, S. ; Izzatullayeva, V. ; Hajiyev, E. ; Rustamov, K. ; Mammadova, S.A. ; Amri, A. ; Payne, T.S. | Genetic diversity analysis using DArTseq and SNP markers in populations of Aegilops species from Azerbaijan | Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution | READ |
| Li,J.; Li,D.; Zavala Espinosa,C.; Trejo Pastor, V.; Rasheed,A.; Palacios Rojas, N.; Wang,J.; Santacruz Varela, A.; de Almeida Silva, N.C.; Schnable, P.S.; Costich, D.E.;Li, H. | Genome-wide analyses reveal footprints of divergent selection and popping-related traits in CIMMYT's maize inbred lines | Journal of Experimental Botany | READ |
| Halewood, Michael, Nelissa Jamora, Isabel Noriega, Noelle Anglin, Peter Wenzl, Thomas Payne, Marie-Noelle Ndjiondjop, Luigi Guarino, P. Kumar, Mariana Yazbek, Alice Muchugi, Vania Azevedo, Marimagne Tchamba, Chris Jones, Ramaiah Venuprasad, Nicolas Roux, | Germplasm Acquisition and Distribution by CGIAR Genebanks | Plants | READ |
| Gianella, M.; Balestrazzi, A. ; Pagano, A. ; Müller, J.V. ; Kyratzis, A.C. ; Kikodze, D. ; Canella, M. ; Mondoni, A. ; Rossi, G. ; Guzzon, F. | Heteromorphic seeds of wheat wild relatives show germination niche differentiation | Plant Biology | READ |
| Bishnoi, S.K.; Xinyao He ; Phuke, R.M. ; Kashyap, P.L. ; Alakonya, A. ; Chhokar, V. ; Singh, R.P. ; Singh, P.K. | Karnal bunt : a re-emerging old foe of wheat | Frontiers in Plant Science | READ |
| Lai, D., A.B. Maimann, E. Macea, C.H. Ocampo, G. Cardona, M. Picmanová, B. Darbani, C.E. Olsen, D.G. Debouck, B. Raatz, B Lindberg Møller & F. Rook. | Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) : efforts toward containing the spread and impact of a devastating transboundary disease in sub-Saharan Africa | Virus Research | READ |
| Hernandez Espinosa, N.; Laddomada, B. ; Payne, T.S. ; Huerta-Espino, J ; Velu, G. ; Ammar, K. ; Ibba, M.I. ; Pasqualone, A. ; Guzman, C. | Nutritional quality characterization of a set of durum wheat landraces from Iran and Mexico | LWT - Food Science and Technology | READ |
| Canella, M.; Rossi, G. ; Mondoni, A. ; Guzzon, F. | Promoting seed germination of Bunias erucago, a Mediterranean leafy vegetable | Seed Science and Technology | READ |
| De Almeida Silva, N.C.; Vidal, R. ; Bernardi Ogliari, J. ; Costich, D.E. ; Jiafa Chen | Relationships among American popcorn and their links with landraces conserved in a microcenter of diversity | Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution | READ |
| Juliana, P.; Singh, R.P. ; Braun, H.J. ; Huerta-Espino, J. ; Crespo-Herrera, L.A. ; Payne, T.S. ; Poland, J.A. ; Shrestha, S. ; Kumar, U. ; Joshi, A.K. ; Imtiaz, M. ; Rahman, M.M. ; Toledo, F.H. | Retrospective quantitative genetic analysis and genomic prediction of global wheat yields | Frontiers in Plant Science | READ |
| Prashant Vikram ; Jorge Franco ; Juan Burgueño ; Huihui Li ; Deepmala Sehgal ; Carolina Saint-Pierre ; Cynthia Ortiz ; Vaibhav Kumar Singh ; Clay Sneller ; Achla Sharma ; Maria Tattaris ; Carlos Guzman ; Javier Pena ; Carolina Paola Sansaloni ; Jaime Amad | Strategic use of Iranian bread wheat landrace accessions for genetic improvement: Core set formulation and validation. | Plant Breeding | READ |
| Aberkane, H., Payne, T., Kishi, M. Smyle, M, Amri, A, & Nelissa Jamora | Transferring diversity of goat grass to farmers’ fields through the development of synthetic hexaploid wheat | Food Security | READ |
| Maryami, Z.; Huertas-García, A.B. ; Azimi, M.R. ; Hernandez Espinosa, N. ; Payne, T.S. ; Cervantes, F. ; Velu, G. ; Ibba, M.I. ; Guzman, C. | Variability for glutenins, gluten quality, iron, zinc and phytic acid in a set of one hundred and fifty-eight common wheat landraces from Iran | Agronomy | READ |
| Sansaloni, C., Franco, J., Santos, B. … Kehel, Z, … et al. | Diversity analysis of 80,000 wheat accessions reveals consequences and opportunities of selection footprints. | Nature Communications | READ |