The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System

Abstract

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) manages the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). The USDA's National Genetic Resources Program was created in 1990, using the NPGS as the model by which other life forms would also be preserved and utilized. While the NPGS is a broadly defined system, ARS has a specific role of acquiring, characterizing, preserving, documenting, and distributing germplasm to scientist users for research and breeding. The NPGS provides genetic resources to users at no cost but with a request to return data to incorporate in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database. The database is available as hard copy, diskette through PC-GRIN, and, for some crops, a CD-ROM disk. Service to users is the primary objective. The NPGS and 40 crop advisory committees exchange technical information on the most important conservation issues. Recent research advances at the National Seed Storage Laboratory provide guidance for storage management of orthodox and desiccation-sensitive seed and vegetative germplasm. Cryopreservation may receive more attention and play a more important role for the vegetative germplasm because improved seed management under conventional refrigerated storage is now possible. Key words: Germplasm, databases, cryopreservation