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.

The Southwest China Germplasm Bank of Wild Species RBG Kew

Technical experts from the MSB visited KIB to give detailed advice on the design and specification of the cold and drying rooms. A refrigeration equipment supplier was consulted to give estimates of shipping costs and installation times of refrigeration units, once the buildings had been weatherproofed. Liaison with a local drying equipment supplier in China allowed suitable drying units to be recommended. Based on previous experience, MSBP staff were able to advise on ductwork options for these units. As a result of these recommendations the cost of supply and fitting of this equipment was significantly reduced.

From past experience MSBP scientists have calculated a general cost ratio for a fully functioning seed bank of 275 : 70 : 1, for seed collecting, seed processing and collection maintenance respectively. Seed cleaning usually takes up to 3hrs per collection for an experienced scientist. The China project aims to collect and process 3,000 species in five years. With a potential duplication rate of only two, this equates to an average of 24 collections per week, requiring 72hrs of seed cleaning each week.

Opening ceremony at KIB RBG Kew

Following these calculations, the laboratories at the new seed bank at Kunming were designed to maximize seed processing potential. Discussions between MSB staff and Yang Xiang-Yun, the General Technical Officer of the new seed bank at Kunming also addressed issues concerning the working environment. For example, MSB staff advised on the use of energy efficient lamps over laboratory benches. A CO₂ monitor was also recommended, in order to assess return air CO₂ and allow a fresh air valve to open only when required.

The official opening of the Southwest China Germplasm Bank of Wild Species took place on 29 October 2008 with a ceremonial handing-over of collections from the UK native flora.

Collaboration continues with MSB staff advising on purchase of incubators, aspirators, flow hoods and an x-ray machine, all of which have now been installed and are in use at KIB.