On October 7, 2023, a major terrorist attack was followed by military actions in Gaza. In the aftermath, thoughts quickly turned to healing—not only for the people but also for the environment.
War causes severe damage to nature. For example, heavy machinery compacts soil, making it hard for plants to grow. Fuel spills weaken the earth’s ability to restore itself. Thankfully, experts at the Volcani Institute’s seed bank are stepping in. They are collecting plant samples from the damaged areas to preserve seeds. This way, they can eventually return the plants to their natural habitats.
The Volcani Institute’s seed bank has been around for decades. Officially, it’s known as the Center for Genetic Resources and Seed Quality. This facility stores about 50,000 seed samples under optimal conditions to ensure they last for centuries. Dr. Einav Mayzlish Gati, the center’s director, emphasizes the importance of seed preservation not only for research but also for restoring damaged ecosystems and ensuring food security.
In Israel, rapid urbanization has put many plant species at risk. Of the 2,500 wild plant species, about 25% are now threatened. The process of preserving seeds goes beyond simple collection. Botanists gather plant materials, identify them, and manually extract seeds. Some are stored, while others help in germination studies to understand how to grow them.
“It’s not enough to just gather seeds,” Dr. Mayzlish Gati explains. “We need effective strategies for germination and growth to reintroduce these plants successfully.”
An example of successful regeneration is the Hormuzakia negevensis, a rare shrub found only in Israel. Researchers managed to propagate it and restore populations in protected areas. Interestingly, during ongoing military actions, conservationists rediscovered a rare plant species in the Jerusalem hills that hadn’t been seen since 2007. They successfully created a new generation through careful pollination and monitoring.
While other countries have seed banks, like the global facility in Svalbard, Norway, Israel’s operates differently. It combines seed storage with active research. The facility not only preserves seeds but also aids ecological recovery, evidenced by efforts to rehabilitate areas affected by an oil spill in 2014.
As agriculture faces challenges from diseases like ToBRFV, which threatens tomato crops, researchers are developing resilient plants. They use genomic editing tools such as CRISPR to make precise changes to existing genes, enhancing resistance without adding foreign genetic material. They are also pioneering rapid detection tools to identify such viruses early.
Dr. Ziv Spiegelman of the Volcani Institute notes, “It’s critical to ensure the future of crops against emerging threats. Early detection can prevent widespread outbreaks.”
Meanwhile, the Volcani Institute is also exploring ways to cultivate microbes that enhance plant growth and protect them from diseases. Dr. Or Shapira highlights that these microorganisms can make a significant difference in agricultural practices by improving nutrient absorption and reducing chemical use.
As climate change continues to disrupt traditional farming methods, efforts to develop new apple varieties that thrive in warmer climates are underway. Dr. Yael Grunwald is leading this initiative. “If we succeed, we could greatly expand local production and lessen our reliance on imports,” she says.
From seed preservation to microbial technologies, Israeli researchers are focused on tackling urgent issues: food security, environmental challenges, and climate change. The work involves not just saving plants but also innovating how we grow and sustain our food systems in a rapidly changing world.
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