Table 1.

Examples of how genebank operations might differ if resources are limited and there is a need for high levels of efficiency compared with what could be done if resources are available, which would be more sound and/or beneficial from a scientific perspective.

Optimum Strategy from a Genebank Management Perspective	More Scientifically Sound or of Interest from a Scientific Perspective
Only one sample of each accession in the active and base collections.	To compare the physiological response of seed lots produced in different crop seasons or environments; to have seeds of different ages to test at the same time (e.g., to understand seed longevity).
Once-over harvesting strategy.	Harvest seeds as they reach maturity.
Stop monitoring seeds once the seed lot that represents an accession has been replaced.	Continue monitoring viability to collect more data to inform seed longevity. This is better, not just because there are more data, but also because more of the data will cover the range where viability is expected to decline faster, enabling more robust model fitting.
Only consider one or a few different dormancy-breaking treatments at a time.	Factorial dormancy breaking/germination experiment, with different treatments and/or germination temperatures and treatment combinations. This should be a priority for ‘new’ species where there is little information on dormancy and germination requirements.
Initial viability test to confirm initial seed quality is sufficient.	Initial seed storage experiment to estimate initial seed storage potential, for setting seed lot-based monitoring intervals, and/or for confirming that the ranking of seed lots for longevity based on experimental storage corresponds with the ranking in genebank storage.
Minimal viability monitoring tests, e.g., only test a subset from each harvest season.	Monitor the viability of all samples at frequent intervals to get more data on relative seed longevity of different samples and of the same samples in different storage environments (e.g., medium- vs. long-term storage).
Only score for germination once or twice during a viability monitoring test.	Regular scoring of germination during a germination viability monitoring test to get information on speed of germination (vigour measures) and how vigour declines as seeds age.