Which practice is NOT involved in the function of a seed bank?

The function of a seed bank primarily revolves around conservation efforts, which include storing seeds for conservation purposes, working to preserve genetic diversity, and conducting experiments on seed viability. Seed banks aim to protect and ensure the survival of various plant species by maintaining a diverse gene pool. Storing seeds helps safeguard against genetic erosion and loss due to environmental changes or human activities.

Conducting experiments on seed viability is crucial for determining how long seeds can be stored and under what conditions they remain viable for future planting. This practice ensures that the seeds preserved in the bank are capable of germinating and contributing to ecosystems or agricultural initiatives when needed.

Working to preserve genetic diversity is fundamental to the role of seed banks, as they protect a wide variety of species, which is essential for ecological balance and resilience against diseases, pests, and climate change.

Enhancing agricultural production, however, is not a primary function of seed banks. While the genetic material stored can potentially contribute to agricultural improvements, such as creating new crop varieties, seed banks focus more on preservation and conservation rather than direct agricultural enhancement. Their goal is to ensure that genetic diversity is maintained, which indirectly supports sustainable agriculture but does not center around enhancing production itself.