Researchers of the Plant Genetic Resources Bank for Vegetable, Floriculture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants [BRGV] Buzau are conducting studies on the germination of edelweiss (cliff flower ), a monument of nature, with the aim of preserving its seeds for up to 100 years, with the resource representing a jewel in the institution's collection, which specialists hope to conserve and protect in case of disappearance.

According to the BRGV, research has shown that edelweiss seeds can currently be preserved under optimal conditions for up to 10 years. Further studies could provide specialists with the information needed to determine the conditions under which seed viability could be extended in laboratory settings to as long as 100 years.

'We have edelweiss in our collection, and it performs well even under cultivation. We have seeds stored for the medium and long term. We need to examine how long the seeds can be preserved under biobank conditions. The important thing is that we have managed to multiply it and can reintroduce it into the wild whenever we wish. We have the resource saved in the Bank, and we also have perennial plants that have been growing for several years, and this year we sowed seeds to produce young plants. We cannot say yet what their long-term viability will be, but for the medium term, we know we can maintain them for around 10 years, but we will certainly continue to study how to preserve the seeds for even longer. Our dream is to reach over 100 years, but we need time to examine viability year by year, to see the annual loss percentage of germination. That is what we are doing now. We keep the plants in collections, practically as cultivated plants, and we also store seeds in various compartments with controlled temperatures, monitoring their viability and we can speak of the species' success, it is a monumental plant, highly appreciated by specialists in our native flora,' BRGV Buzau Director Costel Vinatoru said in an interview with AGERPRES.

The species is highly sensitive to external factors, does not have a uniform behaviour when it comes to propagation, and its fairly limited and difficult-to-access range makes it extremely important, which is why it must not be picked or transplanted.

'We must take care of it and respect the area where it grows and develops naturally, not destroy it, enjoy it in the wild, and not pick it, because otherwise we are simply endangering its perpetuation. Research shows that the plant produces seeds over an extended period. Its behaviour is not uniform from year to year, which is why some years we have more flowers, when it develops better, and other years it does not bloom. If we do not protect it, we are merely putting its existence at risk. We should do more to protect it, to make it known, and to take pride in it as a heritage flower, because it is a natural genetic heritage resource. We must try to strengthen its identity as a natural plant in the wild flora, part of the country's genetic heritage, because, unfortunately, Romania has done and still does very little in this area of conserving and protecting genetic resources, therefore we should be much more careful and invest more in protecting these resources, making them known and, of course, preserving their identity,' researcher Costel Vinatoru mentioned.

Moreover, edelweiss is one of the most important plant species in the BRGV Buzau collection.

'It is an important resource from the wild flora. When we refer to plants from the wild flora, we can speak of a jewel of the Bank's resources because, as you know, the Bank's activities also cover floriculture. We try, as much as possible, to bring resources from the wild flora into conservation to protect them,' the BRGV director added.

A symbol of nature in our country, edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) was declared a 'monument of nature' and has been legally protected since 1933, with its day celebrated on 5 March. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Florin Zafiu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)