Germplasm Conservation as a Key for Food Security

Abstract

Security of any country as well as the whole world can be ensure through the conservation of germplasm since they are genetic resources that can be used to prolong a population of an organism. Plant genetic resources (PGR) are the foundation of agriculture as well as food and nutritional security. The ICAR-NBPGR is key institution at national level for management of PGR in India under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. India being rich in both flora and fauna germplasm diversity also have challenge of protecting its natural heritage. At the same time, we also have mutually beneficial strategies for germplasm exchange with other countries. The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) activities include PGR exploration, collection, exchange, characteri- zation, evaluation, conservation and documentation. It also perform the responsibility to carry out quarantine of all imported PGR. NBPGR collects and acquires germplasm from various sources, conserves it in the Genebank, characterizes and evaluates it for different traits and provides ready material for breeders to develop varieties for farmers. At present, the National Genebank conserves more than 0.45 million accessions. NBPGR is responsible for identifying trait-specific pre-adapted climate resilient genotypes, promising material with disease resistance and quality traits which the breeders use for various crop improvement programmes. The prime focus area of research of NBPGR at present is is on characterization of ex situ conserved germplasm and detailed evaluation of prioritized crops for enhanced utilization. identification of novel genes and alleles for enhanced utilization of PGR; identification and deployment of germplasm/landraces.