User manual
Our goal is simple: we want to make sure that detailed information about the world's plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) is freely and easily accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Please note that the documentation is in active development and may not cover everything Genesys has to offer.
Whether you're a researcher, a breeder, or a policymaker, Genesys helps you find the materials you need without having to navigate through dozens of separate databases. We act as a bridge, working with genebanks around the world to bring their collections together in one easy-to-use platform. By removing the friction between conservation and research, we help you discover the biological resources needed to create a more sustainable and food-secure future.
Below you'll find the guides and instructions you need to get the most out of Genesys.
Want a guided introduction to Genesys? Take Course 3: GRIN-Global Community Edition (GGCE) and Genesys on the FAO elearning Academy. It covers GGCE as a genebank management system, the Genesys portal, and the data quality principles that underpin effective data sharing. The course takes about 1 hour 35 minutes and awards a digital badge upon passing the final exam with a score of at least 75%.
Getting started
New to the portal? Start here to understand what Genesys is and how it supports the global community.
- What is Genesys?: Get an overview of the portal, its goals, and how it integrates with other major information systems.
Legal and guidelines
Ensure your use of the data is compliant and that you attribute information correctly.
- Legal terms: Access guidelines on citations, disclaimers, and terms of use.
Understanding the data
To make the most of your searches, it's helpful to understand the type of information we provide and how it's structured.
- Passport data: Learn about the identity and origin information (passport data) of plant samples and how to interpret it.
Searching and filtering
Learn how to find and narrow down accessions in Genesys.
- Finding accessions: Filter by taxonomy, provenance, climate, biological status, and more.
- Searching by climate: How to filter accessions by temperature and precipitation variables using WorldClim data.
- Searching trait data: How to search characterization and evaluation datasets for specific traits.
Advanced tools
For those who need more than simple searches, we provide specialized tools for deeper analysis.
- AI Search: Search for accessions using natural language queries powered by AI.
- Finding similar accessions: Explore potential duplicate accessions and identify matching plant genetic resources.
- Subsetting Tool: How to use the tool to find accessions adapted to specific environmental conditions.
Managing your account
Learn how to interact with genebanks and manage your research effectively.
- Requesting plant material: A step-by-step guide on how to find and request seeds from holding genebanks.
- User accounts: Discover the benefits of creating a registered account and the additional features it unlocks.