What is a seed bank primarily meant for?

A seed bank primarily serves the purpose of preserving plant genetic diversity. This is crucial for maintaining a range of genetic material, which can be vital for agricultural resilience, conservation efforts, and ongoing research. By storing a diverse array of seeds from different plant species and varieties, seed banks help safeguard against the loss of biodiversity due to environmental changes, habitat destruction, or climate change.

In addition to serving as a repository for seeds, seed banks often hold the potential for future advances in agriculture, biotechnology, and conservation biology. They ensure that various genetic traits are available for breeding programs or restoration projects to combat the effects of diseases, pests, or shifts in climate conditions. This preservation fosters a pool of genetic resources that can be tapped into for developing crops that are more resistant or adaptable to changing environmental conditions.

While storing seeds for future planting, researching plant diseases, and creating new plant breeds are important activities in the field of botany and agriculture, they do not capture the primary objective of seed banks, which is to preserve the genetic diversity of plants.