Biotechnological Approaches for Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge

Abstract

The conservation and sustainable use of the diversity present in plant genetic resources and traditional knowledge of germplasm within and among plant species represent economic, scientific, and societal values that have the potential to solve the food security problems arising from our expanding global population. Advances in biotechnology fields such as in vitro culture technology, cryopreservation, and molecular markers have generated significant improvements in methods of conservation of rare and endangered plant genetic resources and the traditional knowledge of germplasm, and their valuable management, in effective ways. A strategic and forward vision for conservation of plant genetic resources and traditional knowledge of germplasm and sustainable use of plant resources in the twenty-first century is of far-reaching significance for the Earth’s sustainable development.