The INPLANTOMICS team sends heartfelt thanks to the members of the Tunisian National
Gene Bank (@ BNG) — Prof. Mohamed Ali Ben Tmessek, Prof. Amine Slim, and Prof.Elyes Babay — for their valuable contributions and active participation during the launch event of the Tunisian National Network -SAFNET, and the Summer School on Seed Systems for Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Food.
Their presence and insightful interventions reflect a strong institutional commitment toadvancing sustainable agriculture and fostering collaboration within Tunisia’s scientific community.
During the Summer School, Prof. Amine Slim delivered a presentation on “Managing Local Cereal Resources: From Acquisition to Conservation,” and Prof. Elyes Babay spoke about “The Seed Bank Philosophy: The Case of Tunisia.” which both offered a comprehensive overview of the strategies and challenges involved in preserving Tunisia’s rich genetic diversity.
The National Gene Bank team — Prof. Amine Slim and Prof. Elyes Babay, conducted two parallel sessions of a practical workshop on “Collection, Conservation, and Morphological and Genetic Characterization of Durum Wheat Accessions.”
The sessions focused on the preservation and valorization of Tunisia’s rich cereal genetic resources. Participants were guided through the complete process — from field prospection, sampling, and documentation to the registration and conservation of accessions in the gene bank. Emphasis was put on sustainable collection practices, biodiversity preservation, and rigorous morphological and genetic characterization to ensure long-term traceability and value of collected samples. The workshop also showcased the creation of a core collection of Tunisian durum wheat, integrating morphological and molecular markers. This collection, representing the country’s broad genetic diversity, aims to support resource management, breeding programs, and the promotion of local varieties such as Jenah Khottifa, renowned for its high protein and gluten content.
This initiative underscores Tunisia’s commitment to conserving its genetic heritage while
fostering innovation for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
