The technical guidelines are written in a short, direct, sometimes telegraphic style, in order to keep the volume of the document to a minimum and to facilitate updating. The guidelines are divided into two parts. The first part makes general recommendations on how best to move germplasm of the crop concerned and mentions available intermediate quarentine facilities when relevant. The second part covers the important pests and diseases of quarentine concern. The information given on a particular pest or disease does not pretend to be exhaustive but concentrates on those aspects that are most relevante to quarentine. Where possible, acronyms for viruses are according to Hull et. al (1991).

This Manual, based on a regional training course, attempts to clarify most of the concepts and scientific principles for establishing and managing field genebanks. It deals with teh following subjects: the role of field genebank in a complementary conservation strategy, the current status of seed and in vitro and cryopreservation, legal aspects, choice of material and practical aspects of laying out the field plots and planting