A small-scale assessment of the availability of EURISCO accessions

Qatar is firmly committed to conserving its biodiversity and is party to the Convention on Biological Diversity and within this the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), and has developed its own National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). Based on an assessment of the status of biodiversity in the country, Qatar's NBSAP identified a total of 11 strategic goals that identify the most pressing biodiversity issues in Qatar including; protected areas, agro biodiversity and desertification, scientific research, education and public awareness. Qatar is home to unique and important habitats, but due to changes in land use and increased development, habitat reduction has emerged as a significant threat to its biodiversity. Qatar is distinguished for its diverse flora that consists of nearly 420 plant species which pave the way for the establishment of the basis gene bank. In accordance with the international conventions which Qatar has recently joined and ratified, the gene bank has conducted ecogeographical surveys about the plant genetic resources. As a result of conducting these surveys, a complete set of seed plants of the Qatari plants genetic resources are conserved as well as integrated database is created to facilitate electronic exchange among relevant stakeholders and countries to use the resources for studies, research, food security and development. A conservation plan is addressed to conserve plant genetic resources to face the challenges of food security in Qatar. This plan is based on Qatar national biodiversity strategy and action plan 2004 and Ministry of Environment national strategy projects 2011–2016. In this study, we focus on the project of Plant Genetic Resources Conservation in Qatar, the project has addressed in five key objectives; plant and seed conservation, molecular genetic characterization, training and capacity building, documentation of Qatar plant genetic resources, and increasing awareness of plant genetic resource's value. We reported that genetic resources department “gene bank” have been collected and conserved 210 seed accessions, 2800 herbarium specimens, and 287 Plant sample for Genetic characterization. On the other hand department of agricultural research start developing field gene bank. Plant genetic resources conservation, including all seed processing and treatments in gene bank “seed cleaning, seeds drying, seed quality test, seeds viability test, seeds germination test as well as store seed at storage rooms. Gene bank make available the conserved germplasm (genetic resources) to several groups of breeders, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, farmers and other stakeholders. On the other side, we implemented several workshops and training courses about seed conservation in gene bank and access to plant genetic resources and sharing of benefits arising from their utilization. Finally, In fact, Qatar does not have a traditional food insecurity “Lack of access to adequate food during the year due to limited of money”. But food insecurity in Qatar means that Limited resources of biodiversity and agriculture biodiversity resources. As well as it linked to self-sufficiency. Finally, Plant genetic resources provided powerful tools for humanity to control our child's future, and yet not too much been at risk for Qatari genetic resources to be unsustainable, so it is necessary to preserve the natural plant genetic resources on which development is based. Plant genetic resources can be helpful in the achievement of a world without hunger “Food insecurity”.

Plant genetic resources (PGR) with high genetic diversity are valuable assets as the basis of global and national food security. This review article provides a comprehensive review about harnessing PGR through the application of biotechnology for food self-sufficiency in general and was addressed in Indonesia. Some topics concerning the challenge of food self-sufficiency related to the status of PGR in Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development-Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development Gene Bank (IAARD-ICABIOGRAD Gene Bank), the utilization of PGR in Indonesia, relevant biotechnology to harness PGR, supporting national legislation for national and global levels, and the future perspective were discussed. Many challenges including climate change, land degradation, increasing human population, and biodiversity loss have been attempted and need a high effort to achieve sustainable food production today. In a conservation perspective, PGR in the country was predominantly for research and breeding that are a complement to the propagation and cultivation. Considering its potential role in food security, a total of 30 crops are conserved ex situ by IAARD-ICABIOGRAD Gene Bank which is assigned to manage the germplasm and some other crop-based research institutes. An effective crop genetic improvement through implementation and application of biotechnology should be raised through basis and advance researches in vitro and molecular biology such as gene and genomic technologies and other omics, genetic engineering including genome editing would expectedly increase the utilization of PGR. As consequence, some governmental policy framework and laws are important support for national PGR program to harness PGR in Indonesia. Therefore, it will be a major opportunity that biotechnological approaches will be incorporated into the national agricultural program in complement with national legislation to food security in Indonesia.

A preparatory action on the conservation and sustainable use of EU plant and animal genetic resources in agriculture and forestry was carried over a period of two years (2014-2016). Evidence was gathered through a variety of means in the context of the study. These included a mapping exercise of current activities and the stakeholders involved, a review of existing literature, over three hundred interviews with stakeholders and competent authorities, twenty-one case studies of good practices, and seven thematic workshops covering methodological issues. The findings of the study were shared with stakeholders and competent authorities across the EU28 during a conference which took place at the end of the preparatory action. The analysis highlighted the need to develop an agro-biodiversity strategy towards the conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity in the EU, while considering issues specific to each of the four domains of the study: plant genetic resources, animal genetic resources, forestry genetic resources; and microbial and invertebrate genetic resources. Significant efforts have to be made by all stakeholders to secure an optimal conservation of genetic resources in the EU, and use these resources in a sustainable way in agriculture and forestry. This can be achieved through e.g. supporting partnerships and cooperation between stakeholders at all levels in the supply chain.

Plant genetic resources provide the basis for sustainable agricultural production, adaptation to climate change, and economic development. Many present crop plants are endangered due to extreme environmental conditions induced by climate change or due to the use of a limited selection of plant materials. Changing environmental conditions are a challenge for plant production and food security, emphasizing the urgent need for access to a wider range of plant genetic resources than what are utilized today, for breeding novel crop varieties capable of resilience and adaptation to climate change and other environmental challenges. Besides large-scale agricultural production, it is important to recognize that home gardens have been an integral component of family farming and local food systems for centuries. It is remarkable how home gardens have allowed the adaptation and domestication of plants to extreme or specific ecological conditions, thus contributing to the diversification of cultivated plants. Home gardens can help in reducing hunger and malnutrition and improve food security. In addition, they provide opportunities to broaden the base of cultivated plant materials by harboring underutilized crop plants and crop wild relative species. Crop wild relatives contain a wide range of genetic diversity not available in cultivated crops. Although the importance of home gardens in conserving plant genetic resources is well recognized, there is a risk that local genetic diversity will be lost if traditional plant materials are replaced by high-yielding modern cultivars. This paper provides an overview of home gardens and their present role and future potential in conserving and utilizing plant genetic resources and enhancing food and nutritional security under global challenges.

The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, was initially established by FAO, in 1983, to address plant genetic resources (PGR). It became the primary permanent international forum for governments to discuss, negotiate and decide on matters specifically relevant to genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA). Over time, the mandate of the Commission expanded and now it deals with all sectors of GRFA, plant, animal, forest, aquatic, and microbial and invertebrates genetic resources, covering the vast scope of biodiversity for food and agriculture. The Commission also considers a number of cross-cutting topics, including food security, nutrition and human health, mitigation of and adaptation to climate change, access to genetic resources and benefit sharing (ABS); as well as digital sequence information (DSI) on GRFA and biotechnologies for the characterization, sustainable use and conservation of GRFA. The work of the Commission on animal genetic resources (AnGR) initiated in 1997, resulted in preparation of the first-ever Report on the State of the World AnGR in 2007; and led to negotiation and adoption of the Global Plan of Action for AnGR (GPA) also in 2007. The endorsement of the GPA by the FAO Conference provided for commitments at the national level. The Commission monitors progress in the implementation of the GPA and status and trends of AnGR on a regular and biennial basis. Preparation of the Second State of the World Report on AnGR in 2015, further strengthened commitment to implement the 2007 GPA. The Commission plays an important role in supporting animal breeding and the livestock sector. It was instrumental in building the knowledge base on AnGR, creating a framework for action, and supporting measures for its implementation. It has overseen important initiatives, including preparation of various technical guidelines and building global awareness of the importance of AnGR as well as the specific characteristics of the AnGR sector. The work of the Commission is helping to ensure the conservation and sustainable utilization of GRFA, the genetic base for food production, thereby contributing to food security and agriculture development.

Plant genetic resources and traditional knowledge offer opportunities for economic growth and sustainable food security for developing world. The landraces, modern varieties, genetic stock and advanced breeding material are the wealth of plant genetic resources. All these have contributed towards achieving food security and protection of biodiversity for sustainable development. The plant genetic resources have been used for the development and improvement of cultivars. The crop improvement by using these genetic resources is considered as one of the most important methods to ensure food security on a sustainable basis. This will also help in conserving the genetic diversity for future increase in agricultural crop production. Documentation and sustainable utilisation of plant genetic resources for crop improvement and equal sharing of benefits are the main objectives of crop improvement. The plant genetic resources are the rich source of important resistance genes for biotic and abiotic stresses. The rich source of genes can be transferred to the cultivated varieties by using conventional as well as modern plant breeding methods. Both conventional and biotechnological research inputs such as pure line selection, fine mapping of quantitative trait loci, marker-assisted selection, advanced backcross quantitative trait loci analysis and introgression libraries, association studies, direct allele selection and gene transfer have contributed in solving some of the constraints limiting crop productivity for sustainable food security.

‘‘The climate change that has been predicted is an enormous challenge for society worldwide’’. This sentence taken from the preface to the book ‘‘Plant genetic resources and climate change’’ by its editors discloses the rationale for this book. Thirty-four contributors in sixteen chapters report on solid experience and recent scientific advancement that might help devise strategies or develop sustainable systems able to mitigate the effects of the oncoming climate change on crop plants growth, and hence on food production. This book comes almost 25 years after a volume by the same authors with a similar title: Climatic change and plant genetic resources, edited by CABI in 1990, and which gathered contributions presented at the Second International Workshop on Plant Genetic Resources, held in Birmingham, UK, in April 1989. The 1990 book mostly dealt with the effects of the green house effect on domesticated plants. In the latest 25 years, though, knowledge on the oncoming climate change has dramatically increased, and the effects of the global climate change have become evident. A new picture of the present-day knowledge and perspectives was, therefore, necessary. Three chapters of the 2014 book deal with the impact of climate change on agriculture sensu lato. Chapter 1 describes the strong interplay between food security and plant genetic resources (PGRs) by exploring the different potential uses of PGRs in contributing to crop adaptation and to crop resilience to external inputs. This chapter also outlines possible scenarios for future rice breeding in relation to climate change. Chapter 3 deals with the complex picture of the drivers of climate change, and analyses the different models that make it possible to explain it. Which future will us experience is not well understood yet, so different possible scenarios are reported and reviewed. Chapter 4, after analysing several concurring impacts of climate change on different areas, including social ones, urges for a substantial reduction of greenhouse gases. It is now clear that, if not moderated, these emissions are projected to considerably increase the risk of hunger for large segments of the world population. Six chapters concern different aspects of plant genetic resources conservation and use. Chapter 2 reviews the present day knowledge on PGRs conservation and use. Many important developments have come forth in this science since the pioneering efforts of the ‘‘genetic resources movement’’, thanks to the introduction of molecular tools for the description and use of PGRs and as a consequence of devising novel approaches to their rational use. Important achievements facilitating access to PGRs derived directly D. Pignone (&) Institute of Bioscience and Bioresources, National Research Council, Bari, Italy e-mail: domenico.pignone@igv.cnr.it

Plant genetic resources (PGR) serve as the cornerstone for global varietal enhancement and food security. However, these resources face significant threats, including diversity erosion and extinction, are often inadequately conserved, and frequently remain inaccessible for practical use. Traditionally, PGR have been primarily conserved through population seed samples stored ex situ in genebanks. In contrast, complementary in situ techniques – whether involving crop wild relatives in genetic reserves or crop landraces on-farm – have largely remained experimental. The demand from breeders for a broader diversity is driving a more integrated approach that combines ex situ and in situ methods. This paper posits that such an integrated strategy would be mutually advantageous for PGR, biodiversity and farmer-based conservation communities. As a foundation for future PGR science, we propose the three 'Principles of PGR Conservation and Use Congruence' and outline the practical processes involved in in situ and on-farm conservation. We also review the challenges associated with integrating ex situ and in situ conservation, specifically addressing how collaborative resource management can be established, how potential resource users can access in situ and on-farm conserved PGR, how to promote user access to in situ conserved populations, and the progress made thus far in integrating in situ and ex situ efforts. While it is acknowledged that full integration may be unrealistic without adequate resources for Genetic Resource Centres and the rectification of skill gaps, the potential to significantly enhance the long-term, sustainable conservation of PGR diversity holds profound existential benefits for humanity in the 21st century.

The main objective of this paper is to elucidate the present status of Plant Genetic Resources (PGRs), their research, and management system in the genebank of Nepal. PGRs for food and agriculture are the biological basis of world food and nutrition security. The remarkable elevation ranging from 60 meter above sea level (masl) to highest summit Mount Everest (8,848 masl) has created huge geographical and climatic variation which harbor enormous plant species in the country. National Agriculture Genetic Resource Center (NAGRC) or ‘Genebank’ currently conserved 11,051 accessions of more than 110 crops species belonging to cereals (5,850), pseudo cereals (1,150), pulses (1,800), oilseeds (185), and vegetables (565) including other crops (1,501) at ex-situ. Diversity mapping, characterization and evaluation of PGRs, duplicates identification, diversity study, pre-breeding and landrace enhancement are the major research works of NAGRC, and its management strategies include conservation method, types, and groupings of PGRs. Characterization, evaluation and tagging of economically important traits in PGRs are now more important for strengthening their pre-breeding and proper utilization. Additionally, strong communication and collaborative network among public, private, community based organizations and international organizations are important for the effective management of PGRs.

The use of plant genetic resources (PGR) in crop improvement, followed by adoption, cultivation and consumption or marketing of the improved cultivars by farmers, is one of the most sustainable methods to conserve valuable genetic resources for the future, and simultaneously to increase agricultural production and food security. The objective of this review is to summarize issues related to the use of PGR in crop improvement. Specific topics are: definition of genetic resources for crop improvement; information sources on the internet; documentation and evaluation of PGR; access to PGR, equitable sharing of profits, and material transfer agreements; impediments to the use of PGR in crop improvement; classical methods of using PGR in crop improvement (introgression, incorporation, prebreeding and wide crosses); use of landraces in breeding for specific adaptation to stress environments; utility of molecular markers and genomic research for using PGR in crop improvement (diversity assessment, mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) and marker-assisted selection (MAS), advanced backcross QTL analysis and introgression libraries, association studies and direct allele selection); and gene transfer. Practical examples or experimental results are given for most aspects.

Plant genetic resources and traditional knowledge comprise an inimitable universal heritage, and their conservation and utilization are of instantaneous concern. As it is the basic source of all types of agricultural activity, the conservation and protection of these precious materials are of immense potential. Plant genetic resources conserved by the farmers constitute our invaluable assets to meet the growing demands to increase crop production and productivity. The Convention on Biological Diversity is engaged with the genetic erosion and waning use of agrobiodiversity in modern-day agriculture. This is perhaps the most comprehensive intergovernmental agreement concerning for conservation, proper utilization of genetic resources, and giving out the benefits arising out of exploitation in an equitable way. Concern about the looming accessibility of agricultural production, food security, and environmental stability has encouraged the conservation of plant genetic resources and indigenous knowledge to the pinnacle of the international development strategies. Plant genetic resource and traditional knowledge conservation and utilization have been the source of dramatic scientific changes over the course of the last few decades. Precise evaluation and documentation of plant genetic resources and traditional knowledge are a prerequisite for their sustainable utilization to secure the food security.

Valuing animal genetic resources: lessons from plant genetic resources

Our ancestors always considered plant genetic resources (PGR) to be the heritage of humankind and were of the opinion that this treasure would provide the foundation for attaining food, nutritional, and health security. Though evolution on Earth started over 3.5 billion years ago, it is with human interference, coupled with natural processes, that biodiversity has expanded. Human civilization is closely associated with the refinement of biodiversity. Looking to their day-to-day needs, humans started selecting plants from the available natural biodiversity. In ancient times, when men used to go hunting, it was women who developed the art of gathering and selecting plant species according to the needs of the family/society. Along with the advance of civilization, a natural evolutionary adjustment process took place in nature, of course aligned with human interference in different ecologies and changing environmental and biotic conditions. The resultant plant biodiversity was an irreplaceable resource and was the lifeline of humans, providing a sustainable ecosystem to meet the food, clothing, shelter, nutritional, and health requirements of the population. Among developing countries, India is considered as a cradle of agricultural biodiversity, known for its rich heritage of plant, animal, and fish genetic resources, as well as microorganisms, which constitute biodiversity. With 17% of the world’s population, only 4.0% of the world’s area, and 40% of its water bodies, India is considered to be one of the world’s 17 mega biodiversity countries, with 12 of the world’s mega-diversity centers, accounting for 7–8% of the world’s recorded species. India is also considered as a major center for the domestication of crop plants. Among the 34 biodiversity hot spots identified across the world—which are largely superimposed over the phyto-geographical regions—the Indian Gene Centre has three: the Western Himalayas, North-Eastern region, and Western Ghats. The Indian Gene Centre is divided into eight regions, including biodiversity-rich zones. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are rich treasure houses of agro-biodiversity and are connected with Indo-Burman, Indo-Malyasian, and Indo-Indonesian biodiversity. The Indian Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVF the country hosts about 49,000 species of flowering and nonflowering plants (18.8%), out of 260,000 described across the globe. India is rich in endemic plant species, which represent 33% of its flora. Within the spectrum of crop species and wild relatives, thousands of varieties, cultivars, landraces, and ecotypes occur in India. The country is known to have more than 18,000 species of higher plants, including 160 major and minor crop species and 325 wild relatives. Around 1500 wild edible plant species are widely exploited by native tribes. In addition, nearly 9500 plant species with ethno-botanical uses have been reported in the country, of which around 7500 are used for ethno-medical purposes and 3900 are edible species. Medicinal plants account for nearly 3000 species (India’s 4th national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity [CBD] 2009).

Food security is a global concern amongst scientists, researchers and policy makers. No country is self-sufficient to address food security issues independently as almost all countries are inter-dependent for availability of plant genetic resources (PGR) in their national crop improvement programmes. Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR; in short CG) centres play an important role in conserving and distributing PGR through their genebanks. CG genebanks assembled the germplasm through collecting missions and acquisition the same from national genebanks of other countries. Using the Genesys Global Portal on Plant Genetic Resources, the World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS) on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and other relevant databases, we analysed the conservation status of Indian-origin PGR accessions (both cultivated and wild forms possessed by India) in CG genebanks and other national genebanks, including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) genebanks, which can be considered as an indicator of Indian contribution to the global germplasm collection. A total of 28,027,770 accessions are being conserved world-wide by 446 organizations represented in Genesys; of these, 3.78% (100,607) are Indian-origin accessions. Similarly, 62,920 Indian-origin accessions (8.73%) have been conserved in CG genebanks which are accessible to the global research community for utilization in their respective crop improvement programmes. A total of 60 genebanks including 11 CG genebanks have deposited 824,625 accessions of PGR in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (SGSV) as safety duplicates; the average number of accessions deposited by each genebank is 13,744, and amongst them there are 66,339 Indian-origin accessions. In principle, India has contributed 4.85 times the number of germplasm accessions to SGSV, in comparison to the mean value (13,744) of any individual genebank including CG genebanks. More importantly, about 50% of the Indian-origin accessions deposited in SGSV are traditional varieties or landraces with defined traits which form the backbone of any crop gene pool. This paper is also attempting to correlate the global data on Indian-origin germplasm with the national germplasm export profile. The analysis from this paper is discussed with the perspective of possible implications in the access and benefit sharing regime of both the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the newly enforced Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The available national and international plant genetic resources related agreements recognize the sovereignty over their genetic resources. The onus to conserve (using both ex situ and in situ approaches) and use them rests with countries and current agreements stress the importance of equitable sharing of these resources and technologies related to their utilization. This chapter focuses on the in situ conservation approach. Here we deal with the definition of and conceptual basis for in situ and on-farm conservation, role of in situ conservation, factors that shape crop genetic diversity, need for in situ conservation and its role in overall efforts to conserve plant genetic resources, its relevance at local and global levels, impact of climate change on in situ conservation programmes and appropriate needs and opportunities for implementing community driven in situ conservation programme. Conserving crop genetic diversity is important paramount for food and nutritional security, in addition to other needs for medicines and fibre etc., of the present as well as future generations especially with the changing climate. Central to these issues, is the recognition that if crop genetic resources (including landraces) are to be conserved successfully and sustainably on-farm, such an outcome should be the result of farmers’ production activities directed to improve his/her livelihood (“conservation through use”), as no conservation of diversity can be successful if removed from the people that need it. This means that on-farm conservation efforts must be carried out within the framework of farmers’ livelihood needs, and for that reasons, the mobilization of support to on farm conservation need to be conceived and designed within the broader objective of creating a more enabling environment for agricultural development in its various aspects. Since the time that the Convention on Biological Diversity provided a general framework for ex situ and in situ conservation strategies, most agencies dealing with plant genetic resources conservation have been facing the dilemma of how to implement in practical terms in situ conservation of agricultural biodiversity. Major challenge is difficulty in changing the mindset of current plant genetic resources institutional set up. Institutions and researchers need to work closer with farmers and communities as the successful on-farm conservation of crop diversity demands not only to provide incentive for conservation but also empowering them in self directed decision making. A programme must establish a strong relationship between all the different large multidisciplinary institutions and local farmers. Too often, local organizations are ignored and the needs of communities are not addressed. Future development should work on understanding the concerns of local farmers and creating awareness on why genetic diversity and gene/allele combinations in the form of landraces should be important to them. We need to better understand how farmers value crop diversity and how they exchange varieties within and between communities. Once these problems are fixed, in situ conservation programs can successfully protect diversity while simultaneously improving the livelihoods of farmers. Even though genetic basis of on farm conservation is not very clear (work is underway), serious efforts on in situ conservation of crop genetic resources would only lead to a win-win situation, i.e. conserving and using crop genetic diversity for the benefit of those who depend on it. In addition, it can help us to contribute to environmental health through its contribution to ecosystem functions in general. Gradually over the decade many researchers agree that in situ conservation is important and feasible but difficult as it does not fit the scheme of things in a formal sector research and development plans. So when presented the option of conserving plant genetic resources easier option i.e. ex situ conservation is chosen neglecting in situ approach. This needs to be corrected and this can only happen when the mind set of researchers is changed and when communities actually get to make decisions that directly affect them. In many ways it is also important to note that on-farm conservation per se is not a panacea on its own as it is neither recommended as a universal practice nor a feasible method in all circumstances; it has a place and time, as on-farm conservation can be transient and subject to change over time and that provides the major link with ex situ conservation and both approaches complement each other. It is important to see that conservation is a kind of spectrum extending from strictly in situ to completely static ex situ and that it is possible to have various degrees of ex situ and in situ in our efforts to conserve genetic resources.