Technology Transfer
Kew’s unparalleled expertise in seed conservation technology is widely shared with its international partners and commercial clients. In every case, we deliver advice that is specifically tailored to the needs and budget of our partners, however large or small.
The core of our service involves advice on the design and construction of seed storage facilities and the procurement and commissioning of laboratory equipment for seed processing, banking and germination testing.
Seed bank design in China
In 2004, a partnership was formed between the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Kew staff provided technical advice on the construction and development of facilities at the new Southwest China Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, built at the Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) in Yunnan province.
Seed bank design in ChinaGermination testing in Tanzania
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, have a four-year agreement with Government of Tanzania, with the aim of building capacity to conserve genetic resources, through the acquisition of facilities necessary for seed banking.
Germination testing in TanzaniaSeed cleaning in South Africa
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has signed an agreement with the South Africa National Botanical Institute (SANBI), with programmes in Cape Town and Pretoria. The two collecting programmes aim to accession 2,500 seed collections over a five-year project period.
Seed cleaning in South Africa